Nancy Margaret Faison Bryson passed away peacefully on July 22, 2026, surrounded by her family. Born on November 10, 1938, in Raleigh, NC, to John and Margaret Faison, she was the trusted older sister to Johnny Faison.

Nancy led a vibrant life. She graduated as the valedictorian of her high school class in Shelby, NC, where she was the school’s representative to NC Girls State. She was in the National Honor Society and was selected by her classmates as “Most Intelligent.”

Nancy matriculated to the University of North Carolina where she enrolled in the School of Pharmacy and continued to demonstrate leadership and exhibit honesty, integrity and exemplary conduct. Her academic excellence was maintained as she qualified for Rho Chi, the pharmacy honorary society for scholastic achievement. Nancy also received the UNC Buxton Williams Hunter Medal in Pharmacy, recognizing outstanding student achievement in scholarship and campus citizenship. She was a pharmacy school student body officer and a member of Kappa Epsilon and Kappa Kappa Gamma. Nancy was also selected as a member of the Order of the Old Well and the Order of the Valkyries.

Her lifetime achievements were later recognized by the University when the General Alumni Association recognized her with the Distinguished Service Medal, the College of Arts & Sciences gave her the Dean’s Award for Distinguished Service and the Board of Trustees awarded her the William Richardson Davie Award, the highest recognition granted by the Trustees. She also served as Vice Chair of the UNC Board of Visitors and a board member of the Arts & Sciences Foundation.

Nancy was married for 64 years to her best friend, Vaughn Bryson, whom she met while they were both attending pharmacy school at UNC. In fact, they met serendipitously while taking an organic chemistry class as the only two seniors in a class of juniors. They became better acquainted on a Pharmacy School train trip to Eli Lilly, and the romance began.

Nancy and Vaughn married in 1961 and were blessed with two children, Bill (born in 1966) and Cathy (born in 1968). Throughout the course of their marriage, Vaughn’s career with Eli Lilly took them around the country and the world. They moved 12 times, and each time, Nancy approached the new adventure with gusto as she adopted the philosophy of “bloom where you’re planted.” Of all the moves, she would say her favorite was moving to London. Nancy embraced the opportunity to leave the comforts of suburban Indianapolis in order to dive into the challenge of raising their family in London–while they technically speak the same language as Americans, but adapting culturally was another story. True to her spirit of adventure, she blossomed in London, exploring a newfound world of wonderful museums, special exhibitions, history classes, unlimited music and theatre, new friends, travel, along with cooking classes and international foods. She loved every minute of it and encouraged her children to be brave and adventurous as well.

Nancy was a voracious reader and a lover of music and the arts. She was a member of the UNC Concert Band, the Vice Chair of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, a board member of the Atlantic Classical Orchestra, and a docent at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. She also enjoyed sports, both as a spectator and a player. She loved tennis, she ran a mini marathon in her mid-40s, and she took up golf in her 60s. She was a loyal fan of the Indiana Pacers, the Indianapolis Colts, and her beloved Tar Heels.

Building community wherever she lived, Nancy was an avid volunteer for nonprofit organizations. She loved being a member of the Junior League and her sorority, Kappa Kappa Gamma. She was active and supportive of Carolina–including the Arts and Sciences Foundation, the Eshelman School of Pharmacy, the Carolina Covenant Program, the Morehead Cain Foundation, and the UNC Children’s Muenzer MPS Research and Treatment Center. One of her proudest accomplishments was co-founding the Orchid Outreach scholarship program for the children of public safety officers in Vero Beach, FL, where Nancy and Vaughn spent many years of their retirement. This program flourished after 9/11, when people recognized the important contributions and sacrifices of these public servants.

Nancy was blessed with one grandchild (also named Vaughn, born in 2008), and she embraced her role as "GrandNan.” She was frequently found in the audience at her grandson's sporting and school events, and she made certain that family connections were maintained with summer and holiday visits for her children and extended family no matter where they lived.

Nancy was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease 15 years ago, but she did not let that diagnosis define her nor slow her down. She continued to do what she loved most–spending time with friends and family–while also developing new activities like yoga, pilates and Rock Steady Boxing for Parkinson's patients. She faced Parkinson’s just as she had faced every challenge in her life, with courage and dignity, never complaining and taking every new step in stride.

The Bryson family is so deeply appreciative of the professionals who have dedicated their life's work to fighting Parkinson’s Disease and the loving caregivers who helped Nancy live more fully with this disease.

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, John and Margaret Faison, and her nephew, William Faison. She is survived by her brother Johnny (Karen, and children Jenifer, Christy, and John). She is lovingly remembered by her husband, Vaughn, and their children, Bill and Cathy, (partner Kelly), and grandson, Vaughn Bryson Moore.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the Bryson Distinguished Professorship in Neurology at UNC, which supports research, education and patient care in Parkinson’s disease. Donations should be sent to the UNC Health Foundation, 123 West Franklin Street, Suite 510, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27516. Or a charity of your choice.

A celebration of life will be planned at a later date.