Nancy Lee Darr

Nancy Darr passed away on February 27,  2026 after a prolonged battle with a variety of health issues.  The daughter of Mr. Arthur B and Elizabeth F.  (Stone) Sheets, Nancy was born on August 3, 1946 in Rock Island, IL.

A graduate of Rock Island High School (where she was inducted into their Alumni Hall of Fame), she embarked on a successful career in Government service, beginning in 1965 in an entry level position at the Rock Island Arsenal.  Over the next 32 years, she served in a variety of capacities involving tenures in Omaha, NE; Hampton, VA; Washington, DC; Martinsburg, WV; Providence, RI; New Orleans, LA, a return to Washington, DC and Chicago, IL.  She was highly regarded as an expert in the field of Government Contracting and Procurement processes.

After earning her Bachelors Degree from Western Illinois University in 1990, Nancy spent the ensuing six years in a variety of senior management capacities in the Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Commerce and the President’s National Performance Review.  Her career culminated in being recognized with the U.S. Government’s prestigious Federal Executive of the Year Award in 1996.

After a final assignment as the Director of the Dept. of Veterans Affairs’ National Acquisition Center, she retired from the Federal Government’s Senior Executive Service.  She later embarked on a second successful career as an executive in the private healthcare industry, later operating her own consulting business.

Having a lifelong love of the beach, sailing and the sea, Nancy moved to Nags Head, NC in 2001, where she retired and spent her final years.  Those who knew her were familiar with her tireless work ethic, commitment to integrity, high moral standards and generosity.  In addition to these values, she espoused to her sons the importance and duty of serving their country.

She is pre-deceased by her parents, both originally of Rock Island, IL (and both later passing in Nags Head).  She is survived by her sister Cari Sheets, of Macomb IL; son Charles “Bud” Darr and his wife Stacey; son Thomas Darr, his wife Tracy and their son Trevor, who was her beloved grandson; as well as her dear friends of the family especially, Novile Huber.

She will be dearly missed by those whose lives she touched.  Her life will be celebrated in a small private family gathering at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, her wishes were instead that contributions be made to the Outer Banks Community Foundation or the Dare County Association of Fire Officers. Please share a message of comfort with the Darr family at gallopfuneralservices.com. Gallop Funeral Services, Inc. was entrusted with arrangements.