HARTFORD, Ky. — Nancy Louise Patterson Embry, 73, of Hartford, passed away on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, peacefully surrounded by her devoted husband and daughters. She was born on Oct. 15, 1952, in Evansville, Indiana, to the late Roscoe and Martha Bratcher Patterson.
Nancy was a member of Olaton General Baptist Church and The Antique Motorcycle Club of America. She worked as an office manager of the Kentucky Department of Transportation.
Nancy had a beaming and infectious smile that brightened everyone’s day. She loved getting her hands dirty in her many plants and flower beds. She loved cheering for the Wildcats. But most of all family. She traveled through ‘the U.S. with her husband, Jack, on their motorcycle. Riding 45 states, including Hawaii, often gone weeks at a time. She loved being the “boss” of their motorcycle businesses. Hombre’s Harley Salvage and Bluegrass Motorcycle Museum for the past 42 years. Nancy was a member of Olaton General Baptist Church. She retired in 2019 from the Kentucky Department of Transportation as an Administrative Assistant out of Owensboro and Madisonville. But her greatest love was her family.
Nancy and Jack would celebrate their 56th anniversary on Aug. 1. They had such a fantastic love story that began at Ohio County High School, through Jack’s military deployments, living coast to coast with their oldest daughter, and settling back in Kentucky to finish their family and set down roots. They never left one another’s side.
Raising two daughters was Nancy’s ultimate test. They sure gave her many sleepless nights, but she was always their biggest supporter and fan.
Three of her life’s biggest blessings came in the form of grandsons and called her G-Mom. She got to watch and shape them into the extraordinary men they are today.
Then came her two precious granddaughters. They literally brightened her eyes just with the mention of their names. They completed the family. They were the missing pieces.
Nancy is preceded in death by her parents, Roscoe and Martha Patterson; grandparents, Orville and Cordelia Bratcher and Marion and Artelia Patterson; siblings, Brenda Payton, Sue Payton, Roscoe Patterson, Jr.; infant sisters, Alicia and Jeannette; brothers-in-law, Jimmy Payton, JC Payton, and Gregory Sutton; and her in-laws, Damon and Mary Embry and Christine Embry.
Nancy is survived by her husband, Jack Embry, of Hartford; two daughters, Tara Embry (Jason Wood), of Cromwell, Kentucky, and Melissa (Andy) McIntyre, of Centertown, Kentucky; three grandsons, Justin (Katelynn) Embry, Ayden McIntyre and Keegan Cooper; two great-granddaughters, Sophia York and Caroline Embry; sister, Penny Sutton; sisters-in-law, Edna Patterson and Judy Embry; brothers-in-law, Matt (Gayle) Embry and Jeff Embry; several nieces and nephews; and long time friends that were considered family.
A special thank you to Nancy’s hospice nurses, Felicia, Linda, Jenny Beth and Tina and special hospital nurse, Taylor, for being such great support and help.
The family asks that expressions of sympathy take the form of donation in Nancy’s memory to Hospice of Ohio County, 1211 Old Main Street, Hartford, KY 42347 or the Ohio County Food Pantry, 2368 State Route 1414, Hartford, KY 42347 . Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at William L. Danks Funeral Home in Beaver Dam with. Burial will follow in Olaton Cemetery. Friends may visit with Nancy’s family from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday at the funeral home.
Online messages of condolence may be left for the family of Nancy Patterson Embry by visiting her memorial tribute at www.danksfuneralhome.com.