Nora Irene Tolley Plummer Thompson

Nora Irene Tolley Plummer Thompson
November 9, 1936 - February 24, 2026

Nora Irene Tolley Plummer Thompson, 89, passed away peacefully on February 24, 2026. She lived a life rooted in love, family, and resilience, and her story was one she delighted in sharing.

Nora was born on November 9, 1936, at the foot of Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina. Family legend says she was so tiny at birth that she was kept warm in a shoebox by the wood stove, a story that became a favorite reminder of her strength from the very beginning. Her family later moved north, eventually settling in Ohio and then Kentucky.

It was in Kentucky that Nora met Don Plummer, and by all accounts, it was love at first sight. Another cherished family story recounts that they met at a Valentine's Day party playing spin the bottle and every time Don spun, the bottle "landed" on Nora (with a little bit of help from Don). After a short courtship, Don enlisted in the United States Navy so that they could marry.

The young couple lived on base in Norfolk, Virginia, where they began their family. Their daughters Fran and Debbie were born there. After Don left the Navy, the family moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, where they settled in Goshen and welcomed two more daughters, Peggy and, later, Holly.

Following Don's retirement, Nora and Don moved to Bradenton, Florida to be near family. After Don's passing, Nora relocated to North Florida to be closer to Holly and her family, with Peggy eventually joining her there. Later in life, Nora found love again and married Derwood Thompson. She relocated to join him at his home in Gainesville.

Nora was preceded in death by her first husband, Donald Carroll Plummer; her daughters Frances Irene Corbett, Debra Carol Carter Baker, and Peggy Ann Plummer Ash; as well as her grandsons Charles Nathan Carter and Donald Joseph Carter.

She is survived by her second husband, Derwood Thompson; her daughter, Holly Chaker; her grandchildren Sabrina Chaker, Sofia Chaker, Adam Chaker, Dan Corbett, Nora Corbett, Will Ash, Madeleine Ash, and Sasha DeMerle; as well as her great-grandchildren Destiny Corbett, Lily Carter, Ben Wahler, Patton Corbett, and Bayliss Corbett.

Nora will be remembered for her devotion to her family, her storytelling, and the quiet strength that carried her through both joy and loss. She leaves behind generations who carry her love forward.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 28, at North Gainesville Baptist Church.