Elnora McCullar

Elnora (Nora) McCullar passed away peacefully while sleeping on December 7, 2017. She was affectionately known as "Sugar Smacks." Nora retired from Protective Life Insurance with 49 years of service. She had many friends at Protective Life and enjoyed working with them. She was preceded in death by her husband and soulmate of 41 years Lendal McCullar, her parents, and her daughters-in-law Amy Ellis and Mary Ellis. She is survived by two sons, Steve Ellis and Scott Ellis, and three stepchildren, Linda McCullar Mason, Charles McCullar, and David McCullar. Nora loved her grandchildren - Crystal Ellis, Heather (Michael) Clark, Allie (Casey) Mills, Andrew (Kyrston) Ellis, Kaylynn Ellis, Alec Ellis, and Gordon Scott Jr Ellis. Her love did not stop there as she had 3 great grandchildren who she loved dearly – Nathan England, Cooper Clark, and Christopher Davis. She is also survived by two sisters, Faye Tidwell and Sue Layfield, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Nora and Lendal were directors of three clogging teams: Town & Country Cloggers, Dixie Foot Stompers and the Honey Bear Cloggers. They performed throughout the Southeast at DollyWood, Six Flags over Georgia, Opryland USA, Alabama Adventure, Homestead Hollow and Disney World. Her passion to be with children and adults on these teams showed how much she loved clogging and all the talent and love that she had and shared. These teams performed every year at the Georgia Mountain State Fair in Hiawassee, GA where they danced with live music rather than records. The groups won countless championships over the years. Nora was a longtime member of Gardendale First Baptist Church. She was a mother figure to many kids over the years and was known for her big heart and helping anyone she could. She enjoyed watching and rooting for Alabama football while working a puzzle so she wouldn't get too worked up. She loved to go to the casino and was always hoping for a jackpot. She was a great cook and enjoyed the holidays to see all her family and friends, telling stories and sharing memories. She was a loving Grandmother and Great Grandmother, who loved the kids dearly and enjoyed seeing them grow up over the years. She will be greatly missed by many as she was such a great inspiration and role model. Visitation will be Monday, December 11, 2017 from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at The New Gardendale Funeral Home. The funeral will be Tuesday, December 12, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. in the chapel of the funeral home with entombment to follow at Oakwood Memorial Gardens Mausoleum. .