Nancy Smith Gaines, 78, a long-time resident of Huntsville, Alabama, passed away on Sunday, October 20, 2024, after a long battle with cancer, and recently with pneumonia. She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Jim Gaines; sisters, Harriett Smith Somerville and Catherine Smith Sabatini (Jack); nephews, Michael Sabatini (Julianne), Brad Sabatini (Meggy); niece, Alyson Sabatini Sandifer (Jessup); three grand nephews and three grand nieces.
Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, Jefferson Davis Smith and Marguerite Couch Smith.
Nancy graduated from high school in 1964 as Salutatorian of her class at Fairfax Hall, Waynesboro, Virginia.
She attended the University of Alabama, where she received a B.A. degree in 1967. While at the University she was admitted to Phi Beta Kappa honorary fraternity as well as Alpha Lamba Delta (National Scholastic Society for Freshman Women), Phi Alpha Theta (National History Honorary Fraternity) and Phi Sigma Alpha (National Political Science Honorary Fraternity).
After graduation, she attended the University of Virginia School of Law, where she received her Juris Doctor degree in 1970. She was admitted to the practice of law in both Virginia and Alabama in 1970.
After law school she served as law clerk for Annie Lola Price, Presiding Judge of the Court of Criminal Appeals of Alabama.
In July 1972, Nancy returned to Huntsville, where she became only the second woman to practice law in the city, the first since the 1920s. In her practice, which consisted mainly of domestic relations cases, she became known as a fierce defender of her clients’ interests. Among her many bar association activities, she was appointed by the Alabama Supreme Court to a state wide committee that proposed new rules for criminal procedure which were later adopted by the State of Alabama. In Huntsville she was also a member of the Business and Professional Women International, Altrusa Club International and the Junior League and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Twickenham Historic District Association, Family Counseling Association of Madison County and Community Council of Huntsville and Madison County.
Nancy played the cello in the Huntsville Youth Orchestra and briefly played in the Huntsville Symphony.
Nancy and her husband restored the original George Steele homeplace on Randolph Avenue shortly after the historic district was created. She and her husband frequently attended antique auctions as they searched for period furnishings for the house. They were also avid collectors of their silver and china patterns, and they enjoyed attending regional flea markets and visiting antique malls searching for Alabama pottery, vintage fountain pens, vintage Alabama post cards and much more.
After retirement, she and her husband moved to Magnolia Springs, Alabama, where they restored and lived in a 1905 historic residence/post office. They became avid bird watchers and were active volunteers for the Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. They returned to North Alabama in 2017, moving to a mid-century modern home in Limestone County.
A family graveside service will be held in the near future.
The family requests that any memorials be made to the Dauphin Island Bird Sanctuary, Inc., P.O. Box 1295, Dauphin Island, Alabama 36528.
