Mrs. Sinora H. Lewis (Horton), affectionately known as Nora, Master Sergeant, Sarge, Nana and Mama, was born on November 22, 1944, in Thorpe, West Virginia, to her mother, Pinkie L. Horton (Parker) and biological father, Nathaniel Staples, Jr. Sinora spent the first eight years of her life living with her beloved older brother, Jimmy L. Horton, and their maternal grandmother, Mrs. Lucy Deberry, lovingly referred to as Mama Lucy.

Her mother, Pinkie met Ray C. Horton, Sr. (Chosen Father). From this union gained seven additional siblings: Reverend Dr. Helen Styles, Bishop Lillian Tyner, *Ray C. "Bug" Horton, Jr., *Calvin Horton, Reverend Anthony "Tony" Horton, Sr., Walter Horton, and Howard Horton, Sr. Through her father, Nathaniel "Son" Staples, Jr., Sinora became the eldest sister to siblings: William Staples, David Staples, Lawerence Staples, Leroy Staples, Seth Staples, Mei Mei Caldwell, DeMarco Harris, Carol Brown, Anthony Littles, Cynthia Littles, Maurice Brice and Gina Littles.

During her younger years, Sinora was reared by her grandmother, a staunch Christian and community servant whichshaped and fortified her values and commitment to serving. Her commitment to build a strong family and to use her term,"leave the world a better place than she found it", has been an integral part of her life.

At age nine, Sinora moved to Kingsport, Tennessee where she and her big brother, Jimmy, used a wood stove to heat the home and cook breakfast for eleven people each morning. This experience instilled responsibility and leadership in her at an early age. By age ten, Sinora cooked complete Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners while simultaneously caring for her younger siblings.

Sinora was always known as a "no nonsense" person who was thoroughly committed to achieving her goals. Her parents and siblings always considered her to be the junior mother figure, and she was well respected for being nurturing, hardworking and dependable. Her commitment to reaching and achieving her goals were innate. At age five, one of her declarations was to become a nurse. Her godmother was a nurse which inspired her to strive toward this goal.

Sinora attended and graduated from the historic Douglass High School in Kingsport, Tennessee. She was crowned Miss Douglass in 1962, which enshrined her forever as beautiful, bright and sophisticated. After graduation, she went to Bristol, Tennessee to take part in a program to complete her Nurses Aide Training. Shortly after finishing the program, she dated and married Clifford Lonzo Lewis. Three wonderful children were born from this union: Monica Lewis-Patrick, Mena L. Lewis, and Richard W. Lewis. Also, a lifelong, mutually respectful and loving relationship was forged between Sinora and Clifford's mother figure, Mrs. Ollie E. Alexander (Granny). Sinora assisted with her care for the last 5 years of her life until she made her transition at the age of 97. In addition to providing care to Granny, Sinora also aided with the care of her late mother and father, Pinkie & Ray C. Horton, Sr. and her brother, Calvin Horton.

Her determination to provide for her family is reflective of her commitment of being an exceptional mother. Despite the challenges of raising three children as a single parent, Sinora held a full-time position at Kingsport Detox Center while simultaneously attending Kingsport Nursing School to obtain her Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) Degree. Both her mother and mother-in-law, assisted with caring for her children while she worked long hours and excelled in nursing school. Upon graduation, Sinora worked as an LPN at the Johnson City Medical Center.

During this time, she also joined the U.S. Army Reserve. Her leadership skills, dedication and exceptional ability to work with a spirit of excellence was quickly noticed by the military. She earned the rank of Master Sergeant/E8, an honor rarely given to an African-American female.

Her active duty includes, but is not limited to tours during the Persian Gulf War and Desert Storm, where she assisted with caring for wounded soldiers.

Although Sinora was extremely proud of her 23-1/2 years of military service, she was equally proud of the 33 plus years of providing exceptional professional nursing services to fellow veterans at the James H. Quillen Veterans Administration Medical Center located in Mt. Home, Tennessee. Her career did not end with working long shifts at the VA or caring for her children, supporting family members and the community at large. Sinora also worked as a Union Steward, became the Chief Union Steward and served on the national planning committee for the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE). In keeping with her values, Sinora fought for workers' rights and was a champion of ensuring fair wages, good benefits, safe working conditions, along with gender and racial equality.

She was an advocate for education and a lifelong learner. As such, she was selected to be a member of the cohort at the VA which opened the opportunity for LPNs to become Registered Nurses (RNs). In addition to her responsibilities at the VA and as a U.S. Army Reserve, Sinora attended and completed the RN nursing program at her beloved alma mater, East Tennessee State University.

Dedicated to empowering others, Sinora always encouraged young people and single mothers regarding how a nursing career could provide a stable income and opportunities for advancement. In addition to sharing information, providing emotional and sometimes financial support, she navigated many through the paperwork needed to enter the educational system.

After retirement, Sinora became even busier with her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and community service in addition to loving, nurturing and raising her great niece, Octavia Brooks, who she considered her fourth child. She also became the caregiver for Zion, a special needs child who is the granddaughter of a dear friend that had passed away. Because of her commitment of "leaving the world in a better place," Sinora never stopped nurturing, nursing and caring for others. She was the constant go-to for medical advice in her family, community and among friends. She was the person that the neighbors would call if they could not get their mate to take their medicine or comply with doctors' orders.

Although known for her medical insight and expertise, Sinora was equally known as a political strategist and organizer.She spent years working with the Democratic Women of Sullivan County because of her deep commitment to democracy and justice. Her devoted commitment, strategic capacity and leadership skills opened the door for Sinora to head the regional office of the Democratic Party during the campaign and election of President Barack Obama in 2012. Sinora'spolitical opinion became so popular and trusted that residents rode by her home to see her yard signs to help them figure out how to complete their voting ballots.

Sinora never shied away from responsibility nor evaded an arduous task. She unapologetically told the truth and worked to leave a legacy of love, directness, honesty, and provided "tough love" when needed. Master Sergeant was love in action! She would bake you a cake or pie, buy you an outfit or gift, and find a way to make a gesture of appreciation to demonstrate her love. Her flare for fashion and for decorating was classy, sophisticated and memorable. Sinora was known for dressing so immaculately at work in her uniform that other nurses began to iron, send their uniforms to the cleaners, and polish their nursing shoes...and let's not talk about her hair – her silver mane which she was often noticed for and took great pride in keeping done at all times.

Sister Sinora was as serious about serving the Lord as she was about all the other aspects of her life. She grew up in the church family of Central Baptist Church under the pastoral leadership of the late Reverend Dr. William H. Stokley. Her spiritual journey continued in her adult years at Mt. Zion Church with Reverend Lillie Turner as her shepherd. Over the last two decades, Sinora attended Shiloh Baptist Church where Reverend Dr. Kenneth Calvert became her pastor. She was an active member of the Golden Saints, a supporter of the Youth Program, Sunday School, past member of the Tech Team and a proud past member of the Deacon Board. Her ongoing commitment to let her light shine was evident in her dedication and service unto the Lord, church members and community.

Sinora H. Lewis is preceded in death by her one and only son, Richard W. Lewis; her parents, Pinkie and Ray C. Horton, Sr., and Nathaniel "Son" Staples; her beloved mother-in-law, Mrs. Ollie E. Alexander; her ex-husband, Clifford L. Lewis; her brothers, Ray C. Horton (Bernice), Jr., Calvin Horton, Anthony Horton, Maurice Brice; her sister, Gina Littles; her brother-in-laws, Reverend Dr. Richard W. Styles, Sr., and Raymond "Tee" Tyner; her sister-in-law, Patricia Horton; her dear aunt & uncle, Barbara and Frank Horton; her close cousins, Norma Jean Finch, Frank "Chic" Horton, Johnnie Horton; and her dearest friends, Charlene (Deal) Edwards, Lorraine Perry and Elizabeth Bandy (her children'sGodmother). She was also an avid animal lover and often referenced her cat, Pablo (aka "Big Boy").

She leaves behind her children, Monica Lewis-Patrick, Mena L. Lewis, and Octavia Brooks-Knight; her Siblings, Jimmy Horton (Marjorie); Reverend Dr. Helen Styles, Bishop Lillian Tyner, Walter Horton (Debbie), Howard Horton (Keisha), William Staples, David Staples, Lawerence Staples, Leroy Staples, Seth Staples, Mei Mei Caldwell, DeMarco Harris, Carol Brown, Anthony Littles, and Cynthia Littles; her aunts, Maureen and Gloria Horton; and uncle, Willie Horton; her grandchildren, Jocelyn Cradic, Jordan Patrick Frantzen, Jazmine Lewis, Justice Lewis, Synteesha Bellamy, Jada Patrick, Jayla Brooks, Aydin Monroe Johnson, Janae Wilson, Justice Lewis and Dilon Gibson; and her great-grandchildren, Zemar Aaron Gray, Zoeigh Frantzen, Zenora Johnson, Zaiden Woods, Zander Woods, Zymiria Horton, Zakiyah Earnest, Zedryc Earnest and Marley Gibson.

Sinora had an extra special relationship with her oldest nieces, Sharnita Freeman, Wendell Perkins (Pooh) and Tonya Horton; her baby cousin, Kimberly "Chris" Horton; and her cousins, Hettie Mae, David, Patricia (Pat), Mary Ann andRonnie. A close circle of forever friends and friendships she maintained throughout her personal and professional life, Judy Phillips, Donella Ellis, Sherry Russell (William), Edith & Billy Leeper, Judy Orr, Jane Cotrel (Rick), Sherman & Marsha Patrick, Jess Wilson, Aaron Gray, Paul Frantzen, Tyler Johnson, Debra Taylor, Rain Roberts, Pastor Eugenia Ballard and Amy Peguese (daughter-in-love); her loving neighbors, Mr. & Mrs. Carl Hale, Brother William Neal and Kim Akins; and her beloved political sparring partner and Godson, Deion "Dinkie" Russell. Along with a significant number of nieces, nephews, cousins, close family and lifelong friends, including her church family at Shiloh Baptist Church; her Democratic Party friends; colleagues & comrades from the Veterans Administration at Mt. Home; the 912th MASH Unit;her neighbors on East Sevier and her beloved cats, Sandee and Butter Cup. Sinora has truly been a beautiful bright light for so many!

The family asks, in lieu of flowers, to please donate to the soon-to-be-established Sinora H. Lewis Nursing Scholarship Fund at East Tennessee State University.