Nancee Jeanne Steelman Waugh passed away on December 17, 2010. She was preceded in death by her parents, Dr. Samuel Hilton and Lottie Barron Steelman of Lincolnton, N.C., and her husband, John Blair Waugh.

Mrs. Waugh was a graduate of Lincolnton, N.C., High School, Salem Academy, Winston-Salem, N.C., Sullins College, Bristol, Va., and Katherine Gibbs School, New York City. She was presented to North Carolina Society at the Terpsecorean Debutant Ball in Raleigh, NC in 1948.

Active in Girl Scouting for years, she served as Brownie, Cadette, and Senior Leader. As a member of the Board of Directors of the Virginia Skyline Girl Scout Council, she served on the Nominating Committee and chaired the Endowment Committee of the Council for several years.

A founder of the Galax S.P.C.A., Inc., she served as Secretary-Treasurer for many years and Cruelty complaint officer. She was responsible for the Galax-Carroll-Grayson Animal Shelter being built – and she designed the building. She also served as Vice-President of the Virginia Federation of Humane Societies.

Mrs. Waugh served on the Galax-Carroll Library Board, chaired the Board, and served on the Library Building Committee, and the Foundation Committee and donated in memory of family a section of the Library.

As a founding member of the Arts and Cultural Council of the Twin Counties, she served as Grant Chairman to bring the Arts to Galax, Carroll and Grayson Counties.

She was Past President of the Galax Book Club, Past President of the Galax Garden Club, a member of the First United Methodist Church since 1952.

A world traveler. She saw over 300 countries, mostly in the search of her love for animals.

She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Laura Waugh Walters and Jeff Arnold of Claytor Lake, Va., and a son and his life partner, John Barron and Barbara Derr of Claytor Lake, Va. And three grandchildren, Brett Ashton Walters, Evan Blair Walters, and Ethan Hunter Walters. Also surviving are sister in law, Carolyn Waugh and nephews, Charles Richard Waugh, and Laton Daniel Waugh and cousin Harriett Burns.

The family will receive friends at the home on Country Club Lane Saturday, December 18, 2010 from 2 PM until 5 PM. There will be no visitation at the funeral home. The funeral service will be held Sunday, December 19, 2010 at 2 PM in the First United Methodist Church of Galax with Rev. Walt Simmerman officiating.

While flowers would be appreciated, donations to the Galax SPCA would be her wish.