Dr. Nancy Day Anderson Haga

Dr. Nancy Day Anderson Haga passed peacefully into heaven on November 17, 2025, in Farmville, VA. She was born in Waynesboro, VA, to Virginia and William Day on April 3,1935. Nancy graduated from Westhampton College at the University of Richmond in 1957 where she met her husband of 25 years, Claude Wood Anderson, of Andersonville, VA. She began her 45-year career as a teacher in Richmond before moving to Buckingham where her insatiable energy for community leadership was evident in Bethel United Methodist Church, 4-H, Cub Scouts, Red Cross, Women’s Club, and Buckingham County Day.

Starting in the 1980s and continuing for more than 40 years, Nancy invested her tireless energy into the Farmville community at Farmville United Methodist Church, Prince Edward Volunteer Rescue Squad, Walk to Emmaus, Waterworks Players, Prince Edward Academy/Fuqua School, Longwood University and many other organizations. She lived to serve. Always a connector, she was described as a one-person social service agency for her tireless support of others. In times of need, she’d show up with specific help — and a chocolate pie. Nancy went on countless rescue squad calls and taught numerous friends and neighbors Red Cross swimming lessons and CPR. Nancy took great pride in teaching Sunday School for 50 years and was pleased that her class actively supported local people in need. Nancy also taught by example, offering her basement to dozens of people who needed a temporary place to stay.

Dr. Anderson Haga was a master teacher who shaped/cajoled thousands of students into public speaking and debate for the first time and was passionate about communication skill training. Over 20 years she created and dynamically led a nationally-recognized high school forensic program at Fuqua School (Prince Edward Academy). Her intro to communications was a required class for each student at Longwood University for two decades, and all of those students were invited to her house or farm for dinner. Students knew she cared about them as people. Nancy also promoted the local arts as chair of the Longwood University Communications and Theater Department. Countless students found their voice and built their communication skills under her individual instruction in forensic and debate formats, and she was proud when her students gained empowerment through communication.

Nancy is preceded in death by her husband of 25 years, Claude Wood Anderson, and her husband of 25 years, Ralph Haga. She is also preceded in death by her brother, William Overton Day (Shirley). Nancy’s greatest focus and attentiveness always remained on her four sons and their families. She was a grandma who showed up for events, pitched in to help, made a mess, and taught the kids how to clean up that mess. She is survived by Claude “Woody” Anderson, Jr. (Katie) Alissa, Trent; Raymond Anderson, (Llew) Erin Almquist (Andrew), Eme Anderson (Bryce); Morgan Anderson (Karen) Dorothy, Johanna; Peyton Anderson (Paula), Carter, Liz, Cabell. She is also survived by her surrogate daughter Sarah Ann Wood Tolley. Nancy’s special family love extended to Pam, Quante, Dante, and Lionel Bowles whom she met and supported through Habitat for Humanity. Nancy’s family is grateful that she was surrounded by amazing caregivers including Joyce, Nellie, Tonya, Cherinece, and Midaja.

A Service of Celebration will be at 11 a.m. on December 29 at the Farmville United Methodist Church. Memorial contributions are recommended for the Prince Edward County Volunteer Rescue Squad, Farmville United Methodist Church, Fuqua School, and the Nancy Anderson Haga Scholarship at Longwood University.