BAMA NEWS - Snake Blocker

Dear Lipan Apache Tribal Members:
By Robert Soto, Vice Chairman of the Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas
I want to thank everyone who prayed for our travel and time with Nancy Minor's family as we
celebrated - not the death of a loved one, but her life. Nancy was a remarkable lady. She went out
of the way to help our tribe and it seemed like that was all she did; but there was another side to
our good friend besides being a good wife and mother. Nancy had a special love for her Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ. She committed a lot of her time to her church. I learned that she spent a lot
of time praying and studying the Bible. Her pastor said there was not a verse he could speak on
that she did not know. She committed her life to memorizing the Scriptures and teaching them.
She was a Sunday school teacher to a bunch of teenagers. One parent told me that all her
students were still active in church today. I also learned that she was a cheerleader in high
school. I met some of her cheerleading teammates at the funeral. One of them told me, "There
was a wild part of Nancy you guys never knew about. Man, she was a class “A” cheerleader!"
Many thanks also to all who were able to come to her funeral. There were tribal members
from all over Texas. Most drove between 150 miles to 600 miles. One family drove from
Oklahoma and another family flew in from North Carolina. I estimate there were about 50 tribal
members at the funeral, maybe more.
Both Chairman Bernard and I did part of the funeral service and spoke. I had the privilege of
writing a song and dedicating it to her at the service. At the cemetery, we sang an old farewell
song that basically says, "Until we meet again." I had the privilege to smudge and pray for Nancy
at the cemetery. It was an awesome time of celebrating the life of this special lady.
Afterwards we were all invited to her church for a reception. It was invaded by a whole bunch
of hungry Lipan Apaches. I was so blessed to be able to meet so many of you for the first time.
We are separated by so many miles that it was good to see a face for the voice on the phone and
the words I get through e-mails. I thank you for your support and prayers for Nancy. She will
never be forgotten.
If anyone would like to send David her husband a sympathy card you can mail it to:
David Minor
302 Remington Dr
Bergheim TX 78004
Nancy will never be forgotten. The memories of her life will live on in all we do as Lipan
Apaches. Her work and research will remain on for a long time.
God bless and thanks for your support and prayers. – Robert Soto, Lipan Apache Tribal Vice
Chairman
“Nancy Minor was a very special lady. Just a few months ago, Nancy agreed to contribute to my
next book, Apache Knife Fighting & Battle Tactics. She sent me, what will be her last writing
on Lipan Apaches. I am honored by her and I will always think fondly of her. Mrs. Minor
commented on how beautiful my mother was and how they have the same first name. My
brother-in-law, Jeff also had many conversations with Nancy about our family line among the
Lipan Apaches and she helped fill in some gaps in our history for our family. I thank God for
bringing her into my life.” – Snake Blocker, Lipan Apache Tribal Member