Nell Haas Driver, 92, the grand matriarch of the James G. “Bobo” Driver family, died Oct. 18.
During the past few years she lived at The Webb House, then NHC nursing home in Smithville where she died.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Enoch Henry Haas and Lela Lane Haas Curtis; her stepfather Wesley Curtis; her two brothers, Harl and Walter Haas; her husband, James G. "Bobo" Driver; her third son, Randall Gray Driver; grandson Jake McClain Driver; and step-grandson J.R. Turrentine.
She is survived by five sons, Jim Driver and Donnie Driver of Smithville; Mickey and Debbie Driver of Houston, Texas; Gary Driver of Tullahoma; and Terry and Charlotte Ann Driver of Indiana. Also surviving are stepsister Perri Mathis and husband Owen of Shelbyville; stepbrother Jack Curtis and wife Inez of El Segundo, Calif.; two nieces; 12 grandchildren and their families, including, 18 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren.
She was born July 31, 1920 at her parents’ home at Snow Hill, about four miles west of Smithville. She played basketball on the Snow Hill grammar school team and in high school played on the PTA seasonal team. Her dad was a DeKalb County Justice of the Peace, and a farmer who had mules, horses, milk cows and who raised corn, tobacco, and large vegetable gardens. The family grew just about everything they ate. Growing up, she attended Snow Hill Methodist Church. Her grandparents and parents donated land for the church, which was near their home, and which is still in use today.
Nell first met her husband of 54 years, James G. “Bobo” Driver, in 1936 when he was working for a road crew in front of her Snow Hill home. She and her husband loved to play bluegrass music and sing. Their six sons inherited their parents’ talent and passion for playing music. For years Bobo, Nell and their sons performed as the Driver Family Band, appearing at school and church functions all over Middle Tennessee.
She was well known in the Smithville community for her volunteer work with several organizations, including the Smithville Jamboree. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and a member of Smithville Church of Christ for over 40 years. Before retiring, she worked for the Smithville Community Development and Housing Agency for 12 years.
Funeral service will be at Love-Cantrell Funeral Home in Smithville at 2 p.m. Sunday, followed by interment at DeKalb Memorial Gardens in Smithville.
In lieu of flowers, anyone wishing to honor of her life can contribute to the Nell Haas Driver Scholarship Fund at any Regions Bank, account 0166664926. The fund will be used to help a student from DeKalb County High School attend college.
Southern Standard
(McMinnville, Tenn.) Oct. 21, 2012