Aunt Nora will be truly missed.  She is the last (by far) in her generation of the Sloan family.   I recall great memories spending time with her and Uncle Tenny as a youngster.   Kind of the simple life back then, building your home section by section as money permitted.   I recall Aunt Nora telling how she spent one summer straightening used nails for home construction, and how they once went into debt $300 when building their home.  She learned to drive a little later in life, and her first car was a Studebaker that made her proud.    From Knoxville, to Fairfield Glades, and back to Knoxville, she made her houses into loving homes where ever she went.   The Lord never blessed her with children, but her love and support for her many nieces and nephews was always present.  Miss you Aunt Nora, Glenn

Tribute to Nora – by Lisa Suda Harrison
Part 2

Nora managed to take a job working in Gatlinburg Tennessee with a friend and her mother and stayed with them one whole summer. It was a long way from Hardin Valley to Gatlinburg back then. A world away. Gatlinburg was a small place in the mountains with a dirt road and a couple of motels and a place to eat. Nothing like the tourist trap it is now. I asked her how did you ever get permission from your mom and dad to let you do that? She said “I was a rebel! I did it”! There she met her future husband, Tennyson Sloan, who was on vacation from Ohio in Gatlinburg. He went on to join the army in World War II, then came to East Tennessee and married that hillbilly woman he had met previously. He worked in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, where they made the atomic bomb. They lived on a piece of land given to them by her father surrounded by her other family members that also built houses there too. They lived there for years before moving.

Nora never had children but had many nieces and nephews that she loved. She was surrounded by neighbors that loved her and watched out for her after her husband passed many years ago. Even up until a few weeks ago they were still coming over for companionship and a meal.
 



Part3
Nora was a feisty woman. She couldn’t stand to sit still. She would get up in the middle of the night and walk in the house. She basically took care of people that she loved her whole life. My mom lived with her as well as off and on her other two sisters and also her niece. She also took care of her mother for years. So you see, even from a child to 101, this is what she did. It’s what she wanted to do. If you went to her house, the first words out of her mouth would be, can I get you something to eat or drink. If you knocked on her door, you didn’t have to call before hand, she liked surprise visitors. She was always looking out the door and window to see if anyone was 
coming.

The last time I was there a month ago. When I left, she went and stood at the door like she had with me many times. She always stood at the door and watched me go to the car, then as I pulled away she stood there and waved. An image that will always be there in my mind. This time, she said “Honey, I’m tired. This body is tired.” I knew this was goodbye forever. Well she can party on the front porch in heaven with her sisters and brothers, husband, mom and dad and all her friends now. Or knowing her, she will be finding someone to take care of. I know that I will see her and all my loved ones again soon.

Know this, Nora lived her life her way. She lived in her own home all her life and up until a few days ago, she was still doing everything she wanted to do. She was ready to go and so she went to bed for 24 hours to wake up in heaven. I talked to my cousin today and he said he asked her if she was saved and she said she was. After life is over and it’s a short life, my friends, even for 101 years, we have to know we are leaving here to go home.


May 15, 2021
Tribute to Nora – by Lisa Suda Harrison
Part 1
My aunt Nora passed away this morning. Nora Lee Sloan passed peacefully at her home. She was 101 years young. She was going full speed until just a few days ago.
 
She was a one of a kind woman. She was what people from East Tennessee call a true southern lady. She was brought up in a large family and being the oldest girl out of nine siblings she was expected to have responsibility. She grew up in East Tennessee in a rural community called Hardin Valley. Her grandfather had a lot of land and it was farmed to make a living. Her father, Luke Lee, ran away from home at the age of about nine and he was later given land to farm. He married Georgia McCarter from Sevierville and they raised a family. They had nine children. Life was hard on the farm but they had each other, plenty of food because they grew it all. Orchards, gardens, pigs, chickens. Can you imagine the life span she witnessed. Rural country life, walking two miles to the nearest church with family and neighbors was a weekly event. Taking down walls in Uncle Sam’s house on Saturday’s to have a square dance, horse and buggy to the first automobile, the Great Depression, World War II. She lived through two pandemics. No electricity, no bathroom, no refrigerators. There was a cellar for keeping food cool and preserving in jars, carrying clothes to wash for nine people to the nearest creek about a half mile then hanging those clothes up there and waiting until they dried to carry back home. Taking baths in a tub by a fire outside. Walking to school two miles away. It was real life. 


Nora, You will be missed dearly every day. First time we meet we've been friends and always will be. I've always thought of you as my second Mom and I have been so blessed knowing you!!! I know we will be together again, thank you so much for our friendship, the laughter we shared and the loved you showed me!! We will miss you so much and love you forever!! Eddie&Jeannie Smith


OBITUARY

Nora Ellen Lee Sloan

January 3, 1920 – May 15, 2021

Weaver Funeral Home

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