Nancy Jane Nowlin Koger
Nancy Jane Nowlin Koger, 86, of Big Spring died Wednesday, November 27, 2024. Born in Tahoka, Texas, February 12, 1938, to Phillip Allen and Opal (Cooper) Nowlin (Ogden).
Graduated from Lamesa High School, attended The University of Texas at Austin and graduated from Texas Tech University in 1960. She did post grad work in French Program at University of New Mexico and Institut de Langues Etrangeres in Tours, France. She married Tom Koger, soulmate, best friend, love of her life and greatest challenge, on January 31, 1959.
They had three children: Shannon Koger, New York City; Shawn Koger, San Angelo, Phillip Curtis Koger and wife, Jinnifer, Austin.
She was “Grancy” to two grandchildren: Kelsey Michelle Edelen, Philadelphia, PA and Clint Koger Currie, Bandera.
She taught English 7-12 at Flower Grove HS; English, French, and Latin at Lamesa HS and Big Spring HS for 25 years. She spent a year as a Fulbright Exchange Teacher in Guadeloupe, French West Indies, 1990-91.
Koger was a member, elder, and choir member of First Presbyterian Church, Big Spring.
Previous affiliations: charter member and president of Hautes Plaines chapter of American Association of Teachers of French; lifetime member of Howard County Friends of the Library, member of Texas Association of Retired Teachers since 1993, Howard County Historical Commission, board of Big Spring Relay for Life and served 3 years as coordinator for Road to Recovery program. Formerly served on boards of Samaritan Counseling Center, Midland; Presbyterian Camp Chimney Spring in NM; and Texas Council for Problem and Compulsive Gambling, She did freelance writing for Big Spring Herald. Lamesa Press-Reporter, and Sanderson News-Leader.
Her proudest accomplishment and dearest loves were three educated, independent children and two extraordinary grandchildren. She delighted in riding along as the Sancho Panza to her beloved Don Quixote for more than sixty years.
In addition to her husband and children, she loved traveling, teaching, reading, writing, learning something new, cooking and eating, laughing and making others laugh.
Memorials can be made to Howard County or Dawson County Library or to the Foreign Language Department at BSHS for funding for students to go to foreign language competitions, or to Home Hospice (www.homehospicewtx.com). She was predeceased by her parents P. A. Nowlin, Opal Nowlin Ogden, Hollis Ogden; in-laws Robert C. and Evelyn Koger; sister Peggy Rogers; sister-in-law Kathryn “Sissy” Senter; and nephew Greg Rogers.
She is survived by husband Tom, daughters Shannon and Shawn Koger, son Phillip (wife Jinnifer) Koger, granddaughter Kelsey Edelen, grandson Clint K. Currie, brother-in-law Derrell Rogers (wife Carmen), Amarillo, brother-in-law J. P. Senter, Denver City; brother-in-law Kid Koger (wife Shirley), Ackerly, niece Suzi Grant (husband Gary), Arlington, nephew John Senter (wife Robin), nephew Chuck (wife Toyia), niece Kimberly (husband Paul) and niece Kellye (husband Russ) and eight great-nieces and great-nephews.
The family wishes to thank Brooke, Sheena, Kaitlyn, Robin, Genesis, Katie and all the Home Hospice staff for their compassionate and faithful care.
There will be a Memorial Service at First Presbyterian Church, Big Spring, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, December 5th.
Arrangements are Myers & Smith Funeral Home. Pay your respects online at www.myersandsmith.com
– Press-Reporter obituary services