Nelle O. Widner

Widner, Nelle Ousley age 84 of Alcoa died Tuesday, August 5, 2008 at Blount Memorial Hospital. She was born in Loyston, Tennessee (Union County) to Jacob Milus Ousley and Myrtle Longmire Ousley on May 20, 1924. Her family moved to the Rockford community in Blount County during her childhood when Norris Dam was built. She graduated from Everett High School in 1942 and from Maryville College, with a Bachelor of Arts degree, in 1946. Mrs. Widner was a longtime teacher in the Alcoa City School System, teaching first grade and remedial reading at Springbrook, Bassel, and Alcoa Elementary Schools in a career that began in 1946, was put on hold while raising her children, and continued in 1965 until her retirement in 1987. She loved her students and they loved her back. One of her principals described her as a "Mother Hen" who made her students feel safe and loved. Her love for her students continued throughout their lives, long after they had left her classroom. She made a point of celebrating her former students' successes by writing notes of congratulation and including newspaper clippings. She was an active member of Alcoa First United Methodist Church since 1955, where she served in a variety of roles - Sunday School Teacher in the Children's Department; Chancel Choir member for over 30 years; Administrative Board Member; Church Librarian; Saturday Morning Prayer Group; faithful member of the Monday Morning Prayer Ministry; Habitat for Humanity; member of United Methodist Women; member of the Martha Circle; and member of the Over 50's group. Mrs. Widner was a longtime member of the Martha Washington Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star, serving as Past Worthy Matron. She has been a member of the Alpha Delta Kappa Teachers' Sorority and the Tennessee Retired Teachers Association. She also was a member of the Epsilon Sigma Omicron honorary educational society. She was preceded in death by: Husband of 56 years, John DeLozier Widner; Parents, Dr. Jacob Milus and Myrtle Longmire Ousley; Brothers Roy and wife Dottie Ousley, Paul Ousley, and Earl Ousley; Sister Ruth and husband Tommy Higgins; niece Myra LaFollette; Brothers-in-Law L.G. Hutchens, Ellis Widner and wife Freddie, and D.M. Widner, Jr.; Father-in-Law and Mother-in-Law D.M. Widner, Sr. and Ethel Widner. Survivors include: Sons, Stephen Widner of Alcoa and David and wife Lesa Widner of Sammamish, WA; Daughter, Beth and husband Bryan Jackson of Athens, TN; Grandchildren, Alan Jackson, a student in the College of Law at the University of Tennessee; Amy Jackson, a student at the University of the South; Elyse, Andrew, and William Widner of Sammamish, WA; Andrea and Todd Flanders of Knoxville; Sister, Edna Hutchens of Alcoa; Brother Ralph and wife Evelyn Ousley of Maryville; Sisters-in-Law Maggie Cook of Louisville and Maude Widner of Maryville. Nieces, Betty and husband David Williams of Knoxville; Rosemary Patton of Montgomery, AL; Sue Houston of Sharps Chapel, TN; Wanda and husband Larry Brantley of Maynardville, TN; Delight Jobe of Knoxville; Yvonne and husband Ed Ingraham of Maryville; Bobbie and husband Ronald Hatcher of Louisville; Janice and husband David Willocks of Lenoir City; Virginia and husband Gary Loflin of Maryville; and Kristi and husband Lloyd Oslonian of Maryville. Nephews, Dr. Larry and wife Darlene Ousley of Waynesville, NC; Dr. Ben and wife Emily Ousley of Lawndale, NC; Lea and wife Linda Ousley of Clinton; John and wife Lisa Ousley of Galax, VA; Robert Hutchens of Alcoa; Kelly and wife Linda Widner of Townsend; Ron Widner of Maryville; J. A. LaFollette of Friendsville; and John LaFollette of Friendsville. She is also survived by many great nieces and nephews and by several great friends from the Everett High School class of 1942. The funeral service will be held at 7:30 PM, Thursday, August 7, 2008 at Alcoa First United Methodist Church. Family and friends will assemble at 11:00 AM, Friday, August 8, 2008 at Sherwood Memorial Gardens for the internment. The family will receive friends from 5:30 until 7:30 PM, Thursday, August 7, 2008, at Alcoa First United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Alcoa First United Methodist Church Children's Department, 617 Gilbert Street, Alcoa, TN 37701. Alternatively, donations may be made in her name to the Alcoa First United Methodist Church Library Fund or to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Smith Funeral and Cremation Service, Maryville, is in charge of the arrangements (865) 983-1000. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Nelle O. Widner please visit our Sympathy Store.