Obituary of Nora Sue Blume

It was a sunny day on July 1st 1940 in Warren, Arkansas, when the Lord blessed the late Hundley and Maggie Williams with their sixth child, a baby girl named Nora Sue. There were ten children in the Williams’ clan. From the day sweet Nora was born until her last breath she brought kindness and love to a world full of pain. When Nora was 14 years old, she relocated to Portland, Oregon with her family; she graduated from Jefferson High School in 1958. Afterward, she attended Portland State University, and married the love of her life in 1964, a handsome airman, named Cole Blume. From their union, God blessed the Blume’s with three beautiful daughters: oldest Terri is a spitting image of her mother; second born Yolanda is a perfect mixture of both, and youngest Stephanie has her father’s smile and mother’s eyes. Nora was employed at Good Samaritan Hospital until the sudden death of her husband, Cole, in 1977. Always a devoted mother, she stayed home to comfort and rear the girls until the principal at Vernon Elementary, the school of her daughters, came calling and insisting that her gift with children was needed and could be further utilized within the Portland Public School system. Nora taught at Vernon and King elementary schools until her retirement. She also worked a second job at the VA hospital to help put her daughters through college. Throughout her life, Nora was committed to the wellbeing of her family and the people around her. She helped care for her parents before their passing, as well as provide care for Eula, her disabled younger sister. Nora and older sister Clydine became Eula’s primary caregivers after the sudden death of their sister Maxine. Nora’s dedication to her family was undaunting, her last declaration was for her daughters to ensure the proper care for Eula, as well as to love and look after each other always. Our dear Nora was God’s child first, and on Monday, November 23, 2020, the Lord called her beautiful soul home. To her sisters-best friends (Kathleen, Clydine and Eula), let the daily conversations and all the moments that only loving sisters could share be forever engrained in your hearts. While her body will be reclaimed by the earth, her spirit shall comfort our present moment through memories of her warm embrace and all the decades of joyful moments from the beginning in Warren, Arkansas. Nora’s greatest pride was her daughters Terri, Yolanda and Stephanie. Your mother gifted you with her breath, as you breathe you will forever be connected to your mother. Nora used her breath to speak words of love and healing that brought family members together during the holidays. She often opened the doors of her home for shelter to those who found themselves without a home. The grace of this lovely woman has passed down to her daughters. Your mother has been preparing you for this moment all of your lives. She has equipped you with the necessary tools of love, kindness, forgiveness and resilience to keep on soaring. Mom and dad, together again will be cheering you on from glory. Nora Sue Blume will always be remembered as a kind, gracious and loving person, who cared about the dignity of human life, especially those in need. Proceeding Nora in death is her husband Cole Blume, six siblings: Gladys Russell, Sallie Mae Purifoy, Hugh Williams, Anna Loving, Maxine and Clyde Williams. She leaves to mourn her daughters Terri, Yolanda and Stephanie, three sisters: Kathleen Robinson, Clydine Hernandez and Eula Mae Williams, and a host of nieces and nephews. To watch the TribuCast of Nora's service, click "Tribute Links" above the obituary, and then click on "TribuCast of Service."