Nancy Jo Chastain

Nancy Jo Chastain, beloved mother, sister, and friend, passed away on December 2, 2022.
Born on August 25, 1938, in Johnson County, Oklahoma, Nancy was the first of 5 children to
Delores and John Riley. Early days were hard living on their grandpa's farm and working in
the fields as itinerant workers. She was very capable of doing things most boys did, driving the
tractor and picking cotton. She hated picking cotton, but it made her strong and independent.
She loved school and playing basketball, playing in high school and club teams. She was also
a lifelong Laker's fan. Nancy loved the Lord, proclaiming Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior
and attending Foursquare churches at an early age.
After graduating from Dewar High School, Nancy went to Oklahoma City to attend Business
School. Soon after she drove her family to Trona, California to join her dad who was working
at the plant. She had plans to join the Air Force when she turned 18 but got a job at Trona
Railroad and was the 1st woman to work for the railroad, something that brought her great
pride.
Nancy married James Chastain and they had two children, James Anthony and Gina Lee
Chastain. They settled in Orange County, California and were married for 16 years.
Nancy became a real estate broker after the divorce and resided in Cypress, California. She
was a natural and did very well. She loved people and they loved her. She was hard working
and enjoyed the fast-paced lifestyle.
Nancy spent 20 years with her love, Jerry Smith. One day they sold everything and bought a
truck stop in Montana. She had an adventurous side and wasn't afraid to take risks.
Nancy lived her life to the fullest. She travelled the world. She loved to have fun, there wasn't
anything she wasn't up for trying. Nancy loved Las Vegas and spent her fair share of time in
the casino playing video poker and was extremely lucky.
Nancy loved her family, including her siblings, her nieces and nephews and their children and
her friends. She was a giving person and enjoyed spending time with them. She deeply loved
her children and grandchildren.
Nancy is survived by her son James Anthony and Jann, her daughter Gina Lee and Richard,
her sisters Jerildine and Joyce, her brothers John and Gary, her grandchildren Carissa Leigh,
James Tyler, Erin Cassidy, Richard James and Jessica Leigh, her great-grandchildren Clara
Rose, Isaac Christopher and Alexander James and Jerry's son Martin Joseph. Nancy will be
profoundly missed and will live forever in the hearts and minds of her family and friends, every
day. She will walk beside us, watching over, and protecting us.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, May 18, 2023, at 12:00 noon at Holland & Lyons
Mortuary. 216 S. Norma Street, Ridgecrest, CA 93555 with a burial immediately following.

Lunch to be served immediately following the burial.