Mrs. Irene BLAIR NEFF was born at Jonesboro, Tenn., in 1849. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. K. BLAIR. Her mother died when she was a small child and she spent the greater part of her girlhood in the home of her sister, who was the wife of Dr. William E. MUNSEY. She was educated in the schools at Jonesboro among a remarkable group mentioned by Dr. David SULLINS in his autobiography.
On Dec. 16, 1875, she was married to Rev. John E. NAFF, the ceremony being performed by her brother-in law, Dr. William E. MUNSEY. Her husband was for forty-two years, in [sic] itinerant preacher in Holston Conference, during which time she shared all of the experiences of the itinerant life of a Methodist preacher. When they were married, Mr. NAFF was studying law. Soon thereafter he was converted and entered the ministry.
Mrs. NAFF was a devoted Christian; and entered heartily into the work of the churches to which itinerant life took her. The work of her husband was reinforced by her beautiful, unselfish, Christian character. She won the esteem and affection of people wherever they lived.
After the death of her husband, at Bristol, Tenn., she made her home with her son, Dr. Guy M. NAFF at Emporia, Va. Although she was a semi-invalid most of this time, she was never known to complain, and spoke words of cheer to all who entered her room. Her bright, genial, unselfish spirit won the hearts of her new neighbors in the home of her son. She became “Mama NAFF” to the community.
Mrs. NAFF died at the home of her son, in Emporia, Va., on Friday, June 14, 1940, at 91 years of age. Funeral services were held at the home by Rev. A. McKinley REYNOLDS. Interment services were conducted at the grave, at Emory, Va., by Rev. J. W. PERRY, D. D., of Abingdon.
Shortly before the death of Mrs. NAFF, her oldest son, George Ekin NAFF, died at Cleveland, Tenn.; since that time, W. Blair NAFF, died at Knoxville.
Mrs. NAFF is survived by Dr. Guy M. NAFF, Emporia, Va., and Mrs. Margaret NAFF REGAN, Washington, D.C., together with two grandchildren, George E. NAFF and Nancy BLAIR NAFF of Cleveland, Tenn. — P.P. MARTIN
Source: Methodist Episcopal Church. Official Journal of the Holston Annual Conference of the Methodist Church. 1940.
