Posted on: Laws Obituaries Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/FamilyAssoc/LawsObits/10248 Surname: Laws, Tipps, Ward, Williams, Humphreys, Wood, Tucker ------------------------- Tullahoma News & Guardian Tullahoma, TN February 2, 2001 Nell Tipps, former Lynchburg mayor, Long-time teacher, dies at age of 97 Nell Laws Tipps, 97, a former mayor of Lynchburg and a teacher for many years, died Jan. 23 at Harton Regional Medical Center in Tullahoma. A native of Moore County, she was the daughter of the late Rufus L. and Nora Ward Laws. She and her brother, Homer L. Laws, were reared by their stepmother, Annie Williams Laws, their parents having died at an early age. She was preceded in death in 1973 by her husband, Aldon Tipps. She began her teaching career while attending Murfreesboro Normal School for Teachers (now Middle Tennessee State University), receiving her B.S. degree in 1937. During her 43-year career, she taught at Marble Hill, Flintville, Mulberry and Moore County High School. She joined the MCHS faculty after earning her master's degree in home economics from Peabody College. She was a member of Alpha Beta chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, an honorary teacher's fraternity. An active member of the Lynchburg United Methodist Church, she had served as coordinator of the church Bible school, secretary of the church conference, church school superintendent and chaired the Educational Commission, as well as teaching various classes. She served as mayor of the Town of Lynchburg, was chairperson of the tuberculosis Christmas Seal campaign for 35 years, and chair of the memorial fund for the American Cancer Society. "She claimed all the students she taught as her children and was always promoting the town of Lynchburg, said her nephew, Bev Laws of Houston, Texas. "She has left the world a better place for her having passed this way. Community service was an important part of her life." Services were held last Friday at the First United Methodist Church in Lynchburg with Rev. Joe Elliott and Rev. Allen Black officiating. Burial was in Lynchburg Cemetery. with Lynchburg Funeral Home in charge. She is survived by her nephew, Bev, R. Laws, and his wife Katie; their children. Lauranne Humphreys and husband Bill. Charles and wife Joni, Rhea and wife Debbi. Jane Wood and husband Don. and Kathy Leigh; and eight grand-nephews and nieces. She was also close to her husband's nieces and nephews: Dudley and Ann Tipps. Francis and June Tucker, and her brother-in-law, Doug Tipps and his wife Nancy.