March 9, 2025, 82, Goldsboro —
On March 9, 2025, Nancy Jo Farmer Keck 82, passed away at home peacefully and surrounded by love.
Nancy was born on July 26, 1942 in Goldsboro, North Carolina to Garland and Mabel (Edgerton) Farmer. She was the third of five children born to this union. In her early years, she attended St Mary’s School before finishing school at Goldsboro High School where she met the love of her life Hal. She went on to graduate high school a year early and entered Mercy School of Nursing. She graduated in 1962 where she was named Most Intellectual by her classmates.
From there she would embark on a journey of a lifetime which began by marrying Hal. Over the next 27 years, they would cross the globe courtesy of the Air Force as they welcomed four children. During this time Nancy was a nurse, a mom, a community volunteer, and a professional student earning multiple Masters degrees. Keeping his promise, Hal would return the family home to North Carolina where Nancy would begin the career that defined the remainder of her life.
While in Fayetteville, Nancy began a career in real estate. Within this realm she not only helped countless families find their forever home, but would educate generations of agents. Not only was she an instructor, but she would go on to become the lead author of North Carolina Real Estate Principles and Practices. Nancy managed and owned Houser Associates Real Estate in Goldsboro until her retirement.
Nancy was known for her kindness and willingness to help others. Whether it was helping someone navigate the home buying process, advising fellow agents, or helping someone who needed a hand, she was there. In her final years, her daughter Juli was her constant companion and caretaker.
Nancy was predeceased by her husband, Harold Keck, Jr., parents, and brother Lamar Garland “Tad” Farmer, III. She is survived by her children Adair (Bryan) McGraw (Imperial, MO), Tiffany (Andrew) Schmitt (Tyler, TX), Tyler (Laurie) Keck (Goldsboro, NC), and Julianne Keck (Goldsboro, NC). She also leaves behind her grandchildren Kaitlyn (Christopher) Hem, Brendan McGraw, Gabrielle Keck, Helen (Nathanael) Hempel, Hailey (Thomas) Goodwin, Tristan Keck, Shaun McGraw, and Heather Schmitt. Also surviving are her siblings Betty Blanchard (Mt Pleasant, SC), Ben (Julie) Farmer (Savannah, GA), and Mary (Wayne) Sullivan (Goldsboro, NC) as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
The family will host a recitation of the rosary at the funeral home at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 14, 2025 They will then receive visitors for a viewing from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 15, 2025 at St. Mary Roman Catholic Church with Father Bernard Mbay officiating. Nancy will be laid to rest at the Air Force Academy, Colorado, forever reunited with Hal. The family welcomes visitors who would like to share memories and reminisce at her son Tyler’s home. We hope to see visitors on Thursday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the house or following the mass on Saturday.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Seymour Funeral Home and Cremation Service.
