Lora Nell Smith Vickers

Lora Nell Smith Vickers, born September 8, 1925, passed away February 7, 2023 at the home of her daughter, Beverly Davis, surrounded by family. Lora was born in rural Sand Mountain, Alabama, near Ft. Payne. She was the next to the youngest of 5 children and the only girl in the family. While she was still a young girl, the family moved to Rome, Georgia where she grew up and graduated from Rome High School in 1942. During World War II, at age 17, Lora worked at the Tubize Chatillon Corporation, which ran a textile mill. There she made spools of nylon used in the mill’s production of parachutes as part of the war effort. She later worked for the American Red Cross in Atlanta. Lora met a U.S. Air Force Sergeant, James E. Vickers, while he was recruiting in Rome. They were married in his hometown, Donalsonville, Georgia, on June 15, 1947. During their 35-year marriage, the family lived at his USAF base assignments in numerous states, including Texas, South Carolina, New Mexico, Washington, Alabama, Colorado, Maryland, and the District of Columbia, and were posted at three different bases in France from 1958-1961. While stationed abroad, Lora traveled widely, through France, Germany, Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and Austria. Lora worked many years as a legal secretary, in both the public and private sectors. She worked for numerous attorneys, a Bankruptcy Court Judge, and the State of Florida Attorney General’s office. At the time of her death, Lora had lived in Tallahassee for some 56 years. She was an active member of the Advent Episcopal Church and served as a member of the Altar Guild for years. In younger days, Lora was an athlete, playing women’s softball, and was active in numerous bowling leagues. She loved music, dancing, playing bridge and bingo. She greatly enjoyed gardening and yardwork, and spent many hours working word puzzles, reading and pencil coloring. Lora was born to Charles Francis Smith and Alma Florence Shelnut Smith (one of 13 children). Lora’s five brothers, Carl, Claude, Grady, Russell and Charles all predeceased her. Lora is survived by her three children, Cass D. Vickers (Lisa), Anita June Vickers, and Beverly Archuleta Davis (Ross Archuleta, deceased). She is also survived by 6 grandchildren, Jason Vickers, Jarrett Vickers, Ross Vickers, Terra Archuleta Strickland, Laura Archuleta, and Sarah Davis, 3 step-grandchildren, Sara Echeverri, Adriana Graham and Daniela Echeverri, and 9 great grandchildren/step great grandchildren, Emma Vickers, Jacob Vickers, Madison and Morgan Knapp, Melodi Lowery, Averi Vickers, , Luke DeFend, and Mathis and Lyonel Graham. A service in celebration of Lora’s life will held at the Advent Episcopal Church, 815 Piedmont Drive, Tallahassee, Florida, at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, February 27, 2023, after which there will an interment of ashes, followed by a reception immediately thereafter in the Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Big Bend Hospice or Advent Episcopal Church. Susie Mozolic of Bevis Funeral Home is assisting the family with their arrangements. (www.bevisfh.com 850-385-2193)

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Lora Nell Smith Vickers

September 8, 1925 - February 7, 2023