| Sources |
- [S75] Atchley Funeral Home Records, Volume II, 1955-1973, Larry D. Fox, (Smoky Mountain Historical Society), 28 Mar 1959.
Perry Albert Flynn obituary
- [S73] Rawlings Funeral Home, Book 2, 16 Apr 1947.
W. T. Naue obituary
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 1 Nov 2015.
Upland Chronicles: Stanley Nave remembered as dedicated educator
CARROLL MCMAHAN
Stanley Nave was an educator, merchant, politician, farmer and devoted family man. Several generations of students who attended Sevierville Elementary School during the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s remember him and the impact he had on their lives. Known as a disciplinarian, he was well respected by his students and their parents.
Born Feb. 29, 1908, Stanley Oscar Nave was one of eight children of William T. and Lucy Jones Nave. His siblings were Hallie (Lindsey), Pearl, Maude (Terry), C.C., Theodore, O. L., and Hazel. The family grew up on a farm across the road from Eden United Methodist Church. Defying the odds, both Stanley and his sister Maude were born on Feb. 29. Born in 1904, Maude was four years older than Stanley.
After graduating from Murphy College, Stanley obtained a teaching certificate and began his career as an educator teaching at Millican Grove School. He taught eight grades in the one-room building.
On Dec. 27, 1931, he married Reba Flynn, a daughter of Perry Albert and Sarah Elizabeth “Lizzie” Caughron Flynn. The couple had two children: a daughter, Roena, and a son, Charles.
Born Jan. 23, 1933, Roena followed in her father’s footsteps, teaching at Sevier County High School. Their son Dr. Charles Nave established a dental practice in Sevierville. Charles and his wife Marilyn Gordon had four children: Charles Jr. (”Chuck”), Catherine (”Cathy”), Jayson and Heather.
Nave operated a grocery store located near their farm at the corner of Allesville Road and Lane Hollow Road. While Stanley taught school, Reba ran the store. He opened the store before going to school, and she worked there until he returned in late afternoon.
After Douglas Dam was completed in 1942, the impounded waters of Douglas Lake flooded the Allesville community. What had been a short driving distance between his parent’s farm at Flat Creek and their home at Millican Grove was increased significantly. During World War II, gasoline was rationed for those lucky enough to own an automobile. Therefore, many of his relatives and friends who had been trading with him had no means of transportation to get to his store.
To accommodate his customers, Nave purchased a motorized boat that he loaded with groceries such as flour, cornmeal and other staple items. He transported the commodities across the lake to the shore near his parents’ farm. Sometimes accompanied by his young son Charles, he sold his cargo and took orders for delivery on the next scheduled trip.
While he was serving as principal, Sevierville Elementary School grew tremendously, becoming the primary school with the largest number of students in the state. When he began his tenure, the school taught grades one through six, and classes were held in the old Murphy College on Cedar Street. After World War II, a new building was built next door. It was greatly expanded in 1949 to include classrooms for eight grades and a gymnasium.
In addition to his duties as principal, Nave coached the basketball team for several years. A lifelong basketball fan, he was very proud of his teams, which always faced tough competition. He was especially proud of the team he coached that won the county tournament.
Nave kept a leather paddle in his desk drawer, and he freely used it to discipline his students. When teachers sent unruly students to his office, they knew that he would not likely spare the rod.
As if the impending spanking was not punishment enough, he often had them take a seat in his office and sit in dread, thinking about their misbehavior for what seemed like an eternity, before finally administering the inevitable penalty.
After selling his country store, Navee and Walter Webb were business partners in a business located in the old Yett Building, on the northeast corner of the public square in Sevierville. The store later became Lewelyn’s Market.
In the early 1950s, Nave bought Ketner Grocery Co. at the intersection of Belle Avenue, Park Road and Newport Highway. He and his wife they operated the business for a decade while he continued to serve as principal.
Nave transferred from Sevierville Elementary to Wearwood in Wears Valley, but returned to Sevierville after a couple of years. Before retiring he served as principal at the Church of God Home for Children School. New Center was his last assignment.
Nave had a knack for politics and was elected to serve on the Sevier County Commission for a number of years.
After retiring from the school system, Nave managed Ogle’s Grocery Store in Gatlinburg, and his wife Reba worked as the receptionist at their son’s dental practice. They purchased a cabin on Baskins Creek Road where they lived during the summer months, and returned to their farm in the winter.
Stanley Nave died on their 45th wedding anniversary, Dec. 27, 1974. He was 66. Along with their daughter Roena, Reba moved from the farm to a house they owned on Chilowee Drive in Sevierville. Reba died April 9, 1996, at age 83. Roena died Oct. 30, 2004. She was 71.
Dec. 27 is the date of his death and anniversary, and it is the anniversary of his son Charles as well as the wedding date of his grandson Chuck and granddaughter Cathy. Like his grandfather, Jayson became a school principal.
Carroll McMahan is special projects facilitator for the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce and serves as Sevier County historian.
The Upland Chronicles series celebrates the past of Sevier County. Contact Carroll McMahan at 453-6411 or cmcmahan@scoc.org; or Ron Rader at 604-9161 or ron@ronraderproperties.com.
- [S73] Rawlings Funeral Home, Book 2, 27 Dec 1974.
Nave, Stanley Oscar Feb 29, 1908 Tn Dec 27, 1974
Spouse: Flynn, Reba
Father: Nave, William T.
Mother: Jones, Lucy
Sons: Charles
Daughters: Roena
Cemetery: Shiloh
Brothers: C.C., Theodore
Sisters: Mrs. A.C. Lindsey, Mrs. Henry Terry, In-Law Mrs. O.L. Nave, Mrs. Hazel Nave, Mrs. Pearl Nave
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