Nina Jean Core Secrist, 98, of Spanish Fort, AL, died on Monday, February 6, 2023.  She was born January 19, 1925, in Salt Lake City, Utah, the oldest daughter of William Dewey and Marcia Searles Core.  Nina graduated from East High School in Salt Lake City and entered the St. Mark’s School of Nursing there, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1945.  She joined the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps in 1945 and served at the San Diego Naval Hospital, where she met John A. Secrist, Jr., at that time a Navy Pharmacist’s Mate.  They married in November 1945. 

Nina loved gardening and was affiliated with multiple garden clubs throughout her life, holding leadership offices regularly, from Detroit, MI, to St. Louis, MO, to Daphne, AL.  She served as a qualified Flower Show Judge.  She was interested in art, trying her hand at basket weaving, ceramics, painting, and various handwork.  As a Christian, she belonged to and served with various congregations, coordinating the Sunday School program for years at Redford Presbyterian Church, Detroit, MI, and most recently participating at St. Francis at the Point Anglican Church in Fairhope, where she was known for her giftwrapping talent.

Nina resumed her hospital experience as a member of the auxiliary at Thomas Hospital in Fairhope.  For more than 30 years, she served many different volunteer positions, assisting patients and staff with grace and care.

Nina and John had two sons, John A. “Jack” Secrist, III, married to Cyndi, of Whitmore Lake, MI, and David W. Secrist, married to Julie, of Bucyrus, KS, all of whom survive her.  She is also survived by her four grandchildren, Kimberly Secrist Ashby, Tim (Jana) Secrist, Jessica (Virgil) Secrist Moore, and Nick (Hannah) Secrist; and her five great-grandchildren, Megan and Melissa Ashby, Beau Secrist, Emma Moore, and Holden Secrist.  She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her sisters, Margaret Susan (Ralph) Simmons and Marcia Mary (Paul) Evans, and her daughter-in-law, Diana Payne Secrist.  Nina also loved her cats, Muffett (now deceased) and Lucy.

The family will hold a memorial service at St. Francis at the Point Anglican Church, 17280 Scenic Hwy 98, Point Clear, AL, on Sunday, June 25, 2023, at 12:30 pm, with the Reverend Gary Blaylock officiating.  Memorial donations may be made to the Thomas Hospital Auxiliary, P O. Box 929, Fairhope Alabama 36533, or St. Francis at the Point Anglican Church, P.O. Box 916, Point Clear, AL  36564.

Expressions of condolence for the family may be made at www.hughesfh.com. Hughes Funeral Home, 26209 Pollard Road, Daphne, Al, is assisting the family.