Nancye Funai Obituary (1956 - 2026) - Durham, North Carolina

Nancye Catherine Price Funai, 70, beloved “Mama”, “Ammaw” and “Little Sister” passed away on June 28, 2026 in Durham, NC in the home she shared with her brother, after a long battle with multiple illnesses. Her family takes some comfort in the knowledge that she was ready to pass on to the next chapter and be re-united with the family and friends who have gone before. She is survived by her daughters Brandey Downs (Jimmy), Tracey Funai, grandson Logan Downs, and brother David Price. She was pre-deceased by her parents, Herman Price and Margie Thomasson Price. Nancye was born in Danville ,Va on February 10, 1956. After graduation from high school, she married William Funai and moved to the Richmond area where she raised her family. She worked in the Chesterfield County Public School system as a teacher's aide for children with special needs and was a fierce advocate for "her kids", always fighting to see that they were treated fairly and equally. She was a generous, compassionate, and self-effacing person who always put others first. The world is a dimmer place without her. Nancye loved: Family first and foremost - she was so proud of her children and especially doted on grandson Logan; Children – all children, but especially babies; Dolls - she loved her “baby dolls” & their accessories, and treated them almost like real children; Christmas - she started counting the days at the end of summer and the Christmas sweaters came out in November, if not sooner; Country music - she was known to sing along in private and anything at hand could be a microphone; Delicate handkerchiefs; Notebooks - she was always making lists and writing down her thoughts. In keeping with her wishes, there will be no memorial service, but her family wishes for you to hold her in your hearts and invites you to share your thoughts and memories on this memorial page.