FRANKLIN – Grace Yonce Norton Tallent, 95, of Franklin, passed away on Tuesday, March 31, 2020.
Born in Macon County, Grace was the daughter of the late Osborne and Ida Willis Yonce. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Charles Norton; her second husband, Bob Tallent; daughter, Marcia Clanton; sister, Nell Pannell and three brothers, J.D., Carl and Gene Yonce.
Grace grew up during the Depression era in a large family and was part of the Greatest Generation. She left home after graduating high school and lived in Asheville and Charlotte before working in Newport News, VA during WWII as part of the war effort. Grace loved reading and poems. She especially loved flowers and gardening. Grace enjoyed people and she could always find good in others. She loved to laugh and tell stories to family and friends. She was a devoted mother, sister, grandmother and Christian. Her greatest joy was her faith. She was the oldest member of Windy Gap Baptist Church.
She is survived by four children, Pat Tippett, Myra Holland, Tim Tallent and Ronnie Norton; three brothers, Bill, Paul and Harold Yonce all of Murphy; nine grandchildren; thirteen great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
A funeral service was held at 2 p.m., Friday, April 3 at Windy Gap Baptist Church. Rev. Mark Bishop officiated. Burial was in the church cemetery. Grandsons served as pallbearers. The family received friends from 1-2 p.m., prior to the service at the church.
Due to the COVID-19 outbreak and out of respect for the family’s safety and yours, we ask that social distancing be practiced during this time. Macon Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Condolences can be made to the family at maconfuneralhome.com.