In Memory of Mary Louise Jones Nodell

Mary Louise Jones Nodell (March 16, 1914-May 3, 2008)

As many of you know my grandmother passed away on Saturday night. My mother's mother was one of the sweetest people I ever met and I will miss her. This picture of my parents and grandparents was taken at my grandparents' 50th wedding anniversary party.

The following is the obituary my mother and I collaborated on. It appeared in today's edition of the Knoxville News-Sentinel and Tuesday's edition of her hometown paper, The Newport Plain Talk. Unfortunately, her local paper does not have a Monday edition and as such the obituary will be printed after her funeral.

Mary Louise “Sis” Nodell, age 94, formerly of Newport, passed away Saturday, May 3, 2008 at the Shannondale Health Care Center. She was born, March 16, 1914, the youngest of three children to John M. and Dora Susong Jones. She was valedictorian of her class at Cocke County High School and went on to attend the University of Tennessee where she was a member of the Phi Mu Sorority. She worked as a teacher at the Edgemont School in Cocke County and at the Taylor Grocery Company before marrying Richard Ellis Nodell on February 13, 1944. It was then that she gravitated to the roles that would define her – wife, mother and friend. She excelled at each. She was a member of numerous organizations including being a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church of Newport and founding member of the Cocke County chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Though the family mourns her loss, it is grateful that her suffering has subsided and she is now with her heavenly father. She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved brothers; her devoted husband, Richard Ellis Nodell and her loving cousin, Elizabeth Stokley. She is survived by her daughter, Dotty Nodell Vinson (and husband Bill) of Knoxville; son, Richard “Rick” Nodell (and wife Jo) of Knoxville. She also leaves five grandchildren Chandler Vinson of Knoxville; Adrienne Nodell Walker (and husband Michael) of Knoxville; Haley Nodell Johnson (and husband Damien) of Pensacola, Florida; Amelia Nodell of Amherst, Massachusetts; and Hannah Nodell of Knoxville. We express much appreciation to the Shannondale staff for their care and concern. Graveside services will be held 4:00 pm Monday, May 5, 2008 in Union Cemetery with Rev. Chandler Vinson, presiding. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the Alzheimer’s Association at 2200 Sutherland Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37919.