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Nora Harris Thompson, 88, of Quinton, Va., died peacefully and surrounded by family members at 10:52 a.m. Sunday, October 11, 2020, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Richmond, Va.
It appears she wanted to make the 11 a.m. Sunday service.
She was a native of Gloucester, Va., but lived for many years on Ripshin Lake in Roan Mountain, Tenn. — a place she called her “heaven here on earth.” Variously known as “Mom,” “Mimi,” “Butchie,” and “Aunt Nor’Ann,” what follows are her own words:
“I loved the mountains, being near the water, fishing, wildflowers, animals (wild and domesticated), giving to others, cursive writing, being around pleasant people, and especially babies and little children — most of all my God and Jesus Christ, my church, and my wonderful two children that God blessed me with here on earth, Buzz and Sheree, and their families.”
It is also noteworthy that for many years she was a Greyhound bus rider.
Emancipated as a teenager (both parents died when she was very young), Nora began her work career at a very young age. Her first job was with Standard Drug Co.; her later jobs included the Virginia Department of Education’s Title I office and Gordon’s Inc., Johnson City, Tenn.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Grace Elizabeth Hogge Harris and John W. “Jack” Harris, of Gloucester; three sisters; nine brothers; husbands, William H. “Bill” Thompson and Frank James “Jimmy” Trexler Jr.; and one grandchild, Carrie Anne Newton.
Survivors include: daughter and son-in-law, Sheree and Keith Gostel, Quinton; son and daughter-in-law, Frank James “Buzzy” Trexler III and Donna, of Alcoa, Tenn.; grandchildren, Johnny Newton, Wendy Gray (husband, Ron), and Harley Gostel, all of Quinton, David Trexler (wife, Elizabeth), Louisville, Tenn., and Elizabeth Pate (husband, Nick), St. Charles, Mo.; step-granddaughter, Layla Gray (husband, Gordon), Portsmouth, Va.; great-grandchildren, Trey Newton, Katelyn and Adam Gray, Camden James “C.J.” Trexler, Florence “Flossie May” and Wesley Pate; step-great-grandchildren, Jewel West, and Kayden and Amalia Gray; sisters-in-law, Betsy Trexler Pastoor (husband, Henk), Richmond, and Emily Thompson Gilreath (husband, Charles), Cartersville, Ga.; and nieces and nephews of deceased brothers and sisters, Nan, Marcella, Irby Jr., Rita, Ben Jr., Ronnie, Jody, Ellen, Tim Michael, Tammy, David, and Linda; and many wonderful, special friends that are too many to name.
A private family funeral will be held at Corinth United Methodist Church, Sandston, Va., with the Rev. Dr. Teresa Signer Smith officiating; a celebration of life will be held later on Ripshin Lake.
Domestic violence and homelessness were of great concern to Nora, who often kept bags of essential items and extra cash on hand to pass along to homeless people. She had at times been impoverished in life, and she was a follower of Jesus. Thus, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Shepherd’s Inn, P.O. Box 2214, Elizabethton, TN 37643; Roan Mountain United Methodist Church, 284 Main St., Roan Mountain, TN 37687; or Roan Mountain State Park, 1015 Highway 143, Roan Mountain, TN 37687.