Inora Wellington's Obituary
Inora Lee Wellington was born on July 2, 1929 in Seales, Alabama to the late Esau and Ida Mae Holmes. She was the seventh of ten children (Bertha, Gertha, Joshua, Mildred, Lawrence, Aesop, Cora, Robert, and Curtis). Her siblings referred to her as “Sis.” As a young woman of faith, Inora loved the Lord and learned what it meant to be used by God. She joined the congregation of Stanley United Methodist Church where she sang in the choir and participated in various ministries within the church. Inora was a graduate of Booker T. Washington High School’s Class of 1949. She worked as a certified nursing assistant in the newborn nursery at Erlanger Hospital. After numerous years of service, she retired at the age of 73. Ina also served faithfully as a Foster Grandparent in the Foster Grandparent Program at Erlanger Medical Center and Orange Grove Center. She had a special love for nurturing babies and caring for the youth. Inora was the matriarch of the family. She was the glue that held the family together. She instilled into family the importance of family values and how to support and love one another. Her wisdom and stern counseling molded them to be who they are today. She was an avid reader of the holy bible and the daily newspaper. Her interests included travels to the Caribbean and various destinations within the states, such as New Orleans, Miami, Maryland, New Jersey, Washington DC and more. Attending gospel concerts with her side-kick, Mrs. Johnny Cook, was always at the top of her list of which there were many. One of her greatest passions was watching sports. She loved all sports and could talk sports talk better than any sports commentator. Inora was preceded in death by her sons, Gary Wellington, David Wellington, and Lester Wellington, Jr.; grandsons, Torrence Sivels, and Stephon Ball, Sr.; sisters, Gertha Greer, Bertha Holmes, Mildred Montez, and Cora Bell; brothers, Joshua Holmes, Lawrence Holmes, Aesop Holmes, Curtis Brown, and Bob “Bubba” Brown. Those left to cherish her memories are beloved sons, Michael (Dr. Lillian Norris) Holmes, of Columbia, MD, Steve and Bruce Wellington, of Chattanooga, TN; beloved daughter, Janice Hammonds, of Chattanooga; niece/daughter, Patrice (Isiah) Hester, of Chattanooga; grandsons, Michael Holmes, Jr. and Macoby Holmes, of Washington, DC, Jeffrey and Johnathan Wellington of Newark, NJ; granddaughters, Shaneetha Stargell, Kanika Wellington, Angela Wellington, Charita Morgan, Aisha Wellington, all of Chattanooga, and Jessica Smith of VA; 17 great-grandchildren; 12 great-great-grandchildren; best friend, Mrs. Johnny Cook; a host of nieces; nephews; cousins; friends. Inora will lie-in-state on Saturday, June 1, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at Stanley United Methodist Church. Funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. at the church with Dr. Richard Brown as the eulogist. Burial on Monday at 12 noon in Forest Hills Cemetery. Arrangements are by Taylor Funeral Home of Chattanooga, Inc.
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