Nancy Janelle Love Bales, 86, of Devine, Texas, passed away on Saturday, September 12, 2026.
Nancy was born on December 31, 1939 in Round Rock, Texas to Clyde Milton and Carrie Mae Bingham Love. She attended Sharp Schools, in Sharp, Texas. On September 1, 1957 she married Larry Dean Bales. They were married for 56 wonderful years. Larry passed away in 2013. Nancy was a devoted mother of two sons and one daughter. She was involved in both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts with her children, along with being a room mother at school. She attended all sporting events. She loved being involved in her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s lives. Nancy was a mother figure to all the children in the neighborhood, and many still called her mom.
She worked as an Activity Director {Devine} and later after going to college and earning her Administrator’s License, ran nursing homes in Pearsall and Pleasanton. After she retired, she went to work at the Devine News and enjoyed many years with the ladies that she would call family.
She is survived by her son, Layne Bales and wife Nadine of Lytle and a daughter Kimberley Bales of Devine, 6 grandchildren. Lauren (Bales) Haass and husband Randolph, of Biry, Colton Bales of Woodinville, WA. Leslie (Bales) Raymond and husband Aubrey of Surprise, AR, Elizabeth (Libby) Bales of San Antonio, Lillie and Max Bales of Hondo. And four great-grandchildren Elaine Haass, Eleanor Raymond, Abigail Raymond, and Randolph Haass.
Nancy was also survived by sisters Dottie “Sissie” Stevenson, and Karen “Susie” Dixon and husband Bill, her bothers Leon Love and wife Coty and Lynn “Buster” Love and brothers-in-law Bob Merritt and Paul “Krutch” Kruse, sisters-in-law Kathren Shelton, and Linda Jarvis and husband Louis along with many beloved nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her father-in-law and mother-in-law Derwood and Willie Bales, her husband Larry Dean. son Mitchell Bales, her sisters Bobbye Ruth and husband Joe Runnels, Florene “Rene” and husband J.D. Acord. Wanda Elaine “Sookie” Merritt, Judi Kruse. Brothers Jimmie and wife Barbara Love, Dennis Love, and Bryan Neal Love, brother-in-law Martin Stevenson, and Thomas Hickey. Sister-in-law Frances {Bales} Walker and husband Cliff Walker.
Memorial to be held October 10, 2026, at 11:00 am at Devine Community Center 200 East Hondo Ave, Devine, Texas. Family and friends are invited to stay for a meal following the memorial.
Mrs. Nancy J Bales at her desk at the Devine News office where she worked laying out the Classifieds (and entertained us) for many years. She was like a Grandma to us all and kept us all in line on press day. She was a beloved mama, memaw, and friend.