Perle Cody McNabb

Perle Cody McNabb, age 93, formerly of Newport, passed away, Monday, January 29, 2007, in Sylva, North Carolina. She graduated from Central High School (later Cocke County High) in1929 as valedictorian. In 1933 she graduated from Milligan College, with a Bachelor of Science degree, the first woman to graduate summa cum laude from Milligan. She earned her Master's Degree in Biology in 1938 from Duke University She was a classroom teacher for twenty-nine years, mostly in the math and science fields, mostly at Cocke County High School and one year at Cosby. In 1964 Perle left her classroom at Cocke County High School to accept a position of Supervisor of Instruction for Cocke County, and remained in this position until her retirement in 1972. One of the accomplishments during her tenure of which she was most proud was helping establish Cocke County's Adult Basic Education Program. In 1972 Perle was selected Newport's First Lady, and in that year also she began her 1972-1973 term as President of the Tennessee Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development. She served on the Newport City School Board and was active in Delta Kappa Gamma, an honorary society of women educators, and in the Cocke County Retired Teachers Association. She was preceded in death by her husband of almost sixty -four years, H. Royce McNabb; parents, W.C. and Sytha Stuart Cody; grandson, Daniel Royce McNabb; sister, Daisy Cody; brothers, Paul, Donald, Hollis, Cephas and Darius Cody. She is survived by her son, Steve McNabb and wife Lindsay of Johnson City, TN; daughter, Donna Williams and husband, Don of North Carolina; grandchildren, Lucas Cody McNabb and Meredith Allyson McNabb of Johnson City; step grandchildren, Jason Williford and wife Jimejo of Buffalo, NY, Hugh Williams and wife Tami of North Carolina; step great grandchildren, Justin Williford of Newport, Mason and Chloe Williford of Buffalo, NY and Abigail, Callie and Ellie Williams of North Carolina. Funeral services will be held 2:00 pm, Saturday, February 3, 2007 in Manes Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Charles Boggan officiating. Burial will follow in Union Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 12-2 pm Saturday prior to the funeral.

Perle Cody McNabb

March 17, 1913 - January 29, 2007