Nell Carter Osburn Noland

NOLAND, Nell Carter Osburn, of Tappahannock, Virginia, departed this life May 23 in her home at the Riverside condo-miniums. She was born at "Blandfield", Essex County, Virginia, January 23, 1916, the daughter of the Reverend Herbert Stabler Osburn and Fannie Scott Beverley. She attended St. Margaret's School in Tappahannock and was the oldest living alumnus at the time of her death. She attended Hollins College and graduated from the Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond. She worked as a director of religious education at Grace and Holy Trinity and St. James Episcopal Church for several years. During WWII, she worked at Bellwood, a defense supply center in Richmond. Her true calling was teaching. She taught in Chesterfield County schools in Richmond (4th and 6th grades) from 1956 to 1963. Because of her husband's transfer, she resumed teaching at Pea Ridge Elementary school near Huntington, West Virginia, from 1963 until her retirement in 1978. She always knew that she would return to her roots, and she and her husband built a home on Hoskins Creek in Tappahannock where they retired. This also put her very close to her husband's family home, "Airwell", in Hanover County which she visited often. After her husband's death in 1980, she moved to her condominium on the Rappahannock River which she said she never wanted to leave. She continued her teaching by tutoring adults in Tappahannock and helped many obtain their GED. She was previously on the Vestry at St. John's Church and on the Board at the Condominium where she lived. She also volunteered at the Tappahannock library and charity stores for many years. She was an avid sports fan and followed all major sports especially baseball and the Atlanta Braves. She was devoted to St. John's Church and St. Margaret's School as well as her family and beloved pets. Throughout her life, she told stories of her early years growing up at Blandfield. In 1997, after several years of work, she captured these stories in her memoirs, "Blandfield's Child", which chronicled her early life and provided reflections of her family and events that she remembered. This was one of her most significant gifts to our family and has left us with a unique insight into her wonderful life. She dedicated the book to her grandchildren and donated all proceeds to the Tappahannock Museum. She was predeceased by her husband, Eugene Blackford Noland; her brother, Robert Beverley Osburn; and her sister, Detta Osburn Copeland. She is survived by her brother, Herbert Scott Osburn and his wife, Anne Cowley Osburn; and her sister-in-law, Ann Booker Osburn; her sons, Dr. Eugene Blackford Noland Jr. and wife, Carolyn, Carter Beverley Noland and wife, Susan; seven grandchildren, Thomas McLeod Noland, Robert Blackford Noland and wife, Beth, Carter Beverley Noland Jr. and wife, Kelly, Elizabeth Noland Scott and husband, Sean, Kelly Noland Hart and husband, Greg, Marc Byron Noland and wife, Beth, Philip Cooke Noland; and two stepgrandchildren, Kathy Glisson Mobley and husband, David, and Laurie Glisson Young and husband, Scott; nine great-grandchildren: Hope Crawford and Elijah Christopher Noland, Walker Douglas, Dixon Carter, and Rosemary Nell Noland, Lillie Susan, Russell Carter, and Gregory Noland Hart, Benjamin McLeod Scott; and three stepgreat-grandchildren, Madeline Grace and Annabel Elise Young, and Harrison Charles Mobley. She had many dear and lasting friendships gained throughout her life. She treasured her time with her friends and cared so much for all of them. Their help in her latter years helped sustain her by providing support in countless ways that our family is forever grateful. The family also wishes to thank Sally Jeter, Tammy Schools, Marie Ferry, and Dr. Bruce Bucher for all of their care, concern, and support, and the Osburn family, who provided years of loving companionship for her when she was in Tappahannock. A memorial service will be held at St. John's Episcopal Church, Tappahannock, Va., at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 28, officiated by the Rev. Candine Johnson with a reception immediately following in the parish hall. A family graveside service will be held at Fork Church, Hanover County, at 4 p.m. officiated by the Rev. Ann Kirchmier. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. John's Church or St. Margaret's School. The family is being served by the Marks-Bristow Funeral Home Tappahannock, Va. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.legacy.com.
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.