Nora Lee Stallings, age 89, of Aurora, IL, formerly of Lamar County, AL, passed away on Monday, December 29, 2025 at The Grove of Fox Valley Nursing Home in Aurora, IL. Homegoing services will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2026 at 11:00am from the Otts Funeral Home Chapel with burial to follow in the Fairview Cemetery. Bishop Samuel Metcalfe, Jr. to officiate. Visitation will be held at the funeral home prior to the funeral service from 10:00am until 11:00am.
Nora Lee Stallings was born on June 30, 1936, in Lamar County, Alabama, to the late Alexander Metcalfe and Essie J. Metcalfe. She was the second of ten children. Nora was raised in a strong, God‑fearing household where faith, love and unity were the foundation of daily life. Their father instilled in them a lasting and powerful message: “Stick together like stick tides.” Nora and her siblings lived by those words, honoring them throughout their lives and continuing to cherish one another today.
Affectionately known as “Tump” by her siblings, Nora moved from Sulligent, Alabama, to Gary, Indiana in 1955. She began working at Mary’s Restaurant on17th and Broadway where her strong work ethic quickly became evident. Determined to build a better future, she later earned her nursing degree and began a long and faithful career at Westville Hospital in Westville, Indiana. She served there with compassion and dedication until her retirement. Never one to sit still, Nora went on to pursue her entrepreneurial passions, becoming a business owner of Hardaway’s Hideaway in Gary Indiana and a real estate owner.
Nora was born and raised in the Church of God in Christ and attended Lively Stone Church of God in Christ on 26th Avenue in Gary, Indiana. She accepted the Lord as her Savior around 1965. Her faith sustained her in every season.
Nora was an exceptional cook. She was known for her delicious meals. Her chicken and dumplings were legendary and from time to time on the weekends, she sold home cooked dinners. Her catfish with spaghetti dinners were especially popular. Nora also was an excellent baker known for her cakes and pies, most memorably her fried apple pies; served hot and crispy with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, what a treat that was.
Nora was the proud mother of four children: Druella (preceded her in death), Ramon, Camille, and her youngest, Lenora. As a devoted single mother, she built a beautiful home for her family, furnishing it with elegant French Provincial décor and taking great pride in maintaining a neatly kept yard. Her home reflected her care, strength and love.
A longtime resident of Gary, Indiana, Nora later lived in Alabama, then moved to the Northside of Chicago, before settling in Aurora, Illinois. While living in her cute and colorful place, she was blessed with wonderful neighbors and dear friends. One especially meaningful friendship was with her next-door neighbor, Raymond, affectionately known as Mr. Raymond. They looked out for one another, and whenever Nora cooked, she made sure he had a plate. He especially loved her cornbread. Mr. Raymond also went home to be with the Lord in December 2025, and his daughter lovingly shared that Nora was probably making him cornbread in heaven. Nora also treasured her friendships with neighbors Don, Mr. George and his wife Delores, Ellen, and Patty, each of whom held a special place in her heart.
When faced with life’s challenges, Nora placed her full trust in the Lord, and He carried her through every trial. She lived by the words of Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”
On Monday, December 29, at the age of 89, Nora Lee Stallings was peacefully called home to rest in the arms of Jesus. She leaves to cherish her precious memories, her son, Ramon Stallings (Shirley); daughters, Camille Essex and Lenora Stallings; sisters Lola (Howard) Buckingham, Gloria (Randy) Johnson, and Joyce (Albert) Metcalfe; brothers Gabriel (Nettie) Metcalfe and David Metcalfe; and sister-in-law Imogene Metcalfe. She is also lovingly remembered by her grandchildren Willie (Sherlette) Heard, Michelle (Randall) Scott, Leslie Dristas, Javet Stallings, Gquanishia ”Nishia” Stallings (preceded her in death), Duran Cribbs, D’Kia Stallings, James (Gregory) Essex, and Christopher Essex, along with a host of great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Nora was preceded in death by her parents, Alexander and Essie Metcalfe; her eldest daughter, Druella Kay Heard; her sister Netter (Huford) Buckingham; her brothers Samuel Metcalfe and his wife Jenix Marie, and Willington (Ray) Metcalfe Sr.; and her special friend Oscar Hamp, who loved and treated her children as his own.
Nora Lee Stallings was kind, loving, humorous, strong and always willing to help in any way she could. She carried a gentle spirit that touched everyone she met, and even to a stranger, she had a special way of making you feel like family. She lived a full and blessed life, grounded in her unwavering faith and guided by love rather than chaos or hatred. She often reminded others, “Vengeance is mine, says the Lord.” Romans 12:19. A devoted mother, daughter, sister, and friend, Nora’s presence will be deeply missed—but the love she gave so freely will remain in our hearts forever.
