Obituary

Nancy Tyler, 75, beloved sister and friend, died on May 12, 2026, in Charleston, WV. Nancy was born in Atlanta, Georgia, to John W. and Irene C. Lovell.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husbands Tom Tyler and Paul Skram, and brother John W. Lovell, Jr.; Nancy is survived by her sisters, Jeannette Lovell Sims of San Rafael, California; Suzy Lovell Owens of Birmingham, Alabama; and brother, Leo C. Lovell of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; niece Lauren Johnsey; great nephew Corbin Johnsey and great niece Adelynn Johnsey; and by her sister-in-law, Nancy Skram Tolliver; WV; nieces, Leah Tolliver of Huntington, WV, Tasha Tolliver of Richmond, VA, and Amy Tolliver of Charleston, WV.

Nancy was a much loved and highly regarded member of the Charleston community. She dedicated her life to the causes of women’s rights, disability rights and worked in administrative and legislative positions to promote the health and welfare of all people.

Nancy was a graduate of Auburn University and received a master’s degree in social work from West Virginia University and law degree from the University of Denver.

After obtaining her MS in Social Work from WVU Nancy worked at the Women’s Health Center of WV in Charleston as head of counseling services programs. Nancy helped establish the Options Counseling for Unplanned Pregnancy Program, the Widowed Persons Services Program, and assisted with establishing and teaching the reproductive health education programs which were offered in high schools throughout Kanawha Valley.

Nancy and her husband Tom Tyler then moved to Denver, Colorado where Tom worked with AT&T. There, Nancy served as Director of the Boulder Valley Women’s Health Center and was again active in health issues of women and all. Tom Tyler, passed away in Colorado.

Remembering her close West Virginia friends, Nancy chose to return to Charleston to continue her career, where Nancy served as Director of the Office of Health Facilities and Licensure and Certification in the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources.

She then worked as Deputy Attorney General of the Employment Litigation Unit in the Office of the Attorney General of West Virginia and as Counsel for the Committee of Finance and the Committee on Health and Human Resources of the West Virginia Legislature where she drafted legislation, prepared amendments, abstracts, bill summaries and provided information on health and other topics to legislators.

In West Virginia Nancy married a longtime friend, Paul Elliott Skram. They were married for 28 years when he passed away on March 5th of this year.

Nancy worked extensively with the disabilities community to draft legislation to improve services. She was a member of the Partnership for Elder Living and served as vice chair of the health committee of the National Conference of State Legislatures. In addition, she served as a board member and in leadership positions with the Fair Shake Network, the Women’s Health Center of West Virginia, West Virginians for Affordable Health Care and the Cabin Creek Health Center. Nancy was honored with many recognitions throughout her career. In recent years she was recognized with the John D. Rockefeller IV Life Time Achievement Award for Advancement in Health Care Public Policy by West Virginias for Affordable Health Care.

Undaunted by the challenges of Type 1 diabetes, Nancy was funny and highly successful at everything she did. She was always kind, full of good cheer and ready for any adventure.

In lieu of flowers and in honor of Nancy, the family suggests donations be made to one of the following organizations: Women’s Health Center of West Virginia, Inc.; West Virginians for Affordable Health Care, Inc.; or Fair Shake Initiative of the Statewide Independent Living Council.

The Celebration of Life will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on June 26, 2026, at the Women’s Club of Charleston, 1600 Virginia Street East, Charleston.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.barlowbonsall.com.

Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.