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Nancy Ann Tipton Bell, 76, passed away Saturday, June 10, 2017 as a soft, warm rain fell in Vero Beach, FL.
Nancy was born in Jackson, MS, the only child of the late E.L. “Tip” and Josephine Mitchell Tipton. She had recently relocated to Vero Beach, FL to be near her daughter. She was elated to be living in Florida again, as she had lived in Miami when she was young. After her father was drafted during WWII, the family returned to Knoxville where she lived until her move to Florida. Nancy graduated from East High School in 1958. She attended the University of Tennessee until she married in 1959.
Upon the death of her mother, she became the sole proprietress of Tipton Distributing Co, an Anheuser-Busch distributor. On February 14, 1983, she sold “the company” as she always called it. And how sweet it was, she then began avid pursuance of one of her passions—travel. And that she did, all over the world and enjoyed every minute of it.
When the wanderlust faded a bit, she devoted volunteer time to her church as well as the Virginia Avenue Afterschool program as a mentor to children. She also pursued watercolor painting, knitting, raising orchids and lilies, soap making, and was a voracious reader. But anyone that knew Nancy, knew that she always considered her children her greatest works of art.
She was a member of First United Methodist Church and the Daughters of the American Revolution. She enjoyed following UT Athletics, Men’s and Women’s. Win or lose, she was a true #VFL.
She is survived by her children Brian (Martha) Tonkin and Laura Tonkin Allen as well as her only grandchild, William Tonkin.
The family will receive friends at First United Methodist Church, 3316 Kingston Pike, Knoxville from 4-6, Wednesday, June 21st. A memorial service and reception to follow. In the Spring, when the flowers begin to bloom, there will be a Celebration of Life in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Young Williams Animal Center or East Tennessee Historical Society Smokies Splendor: A Permanent Collection of Works by Jim Gray.
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