Nola Pease VanderMeer of Frankfort, formerly of Morris Fork and Berea, died Sunday, September 9, 2001 at her residence. She was 108.

Mrs. VanderMeer was born June 13, 1893 in St. Clarie City, Michigan. Three years of nurses training prepared her for a commission from the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions, but in 1917 World War 1 prevented her from departing for her posting in China. She was then put on loan to the Presbyterian Home Board and sent to Wooton"s Creek, in Leslie County, Kentucky.

For the next nine years she helped lay the groundwork for what would later become the Frontier Nusing Service. In 1926 she met and married the late Samuel VanderMeer, a Presbyterian minister in nearby Breathitt County. Together they became know as "Uncle Sam" and "Aunt Nola" and gave a combined total of ninety-eight years of service and love to the community of Morris Fork until their retirement in 1969.

They continued their service at Whites Memorial Presbyterian Church in Berea until Sam's death in 1975. While in Berea, she authored a successful book entitled "The Tired Country Smiles" documenting the years she spent as a midwife in the mountains of Kentucky.

She is survived by one son, William Samuel VanderMeer of Northwest Palm Beach, Florida; one daughter:, Mary Sandlin of Hamilton, Ohio; one sister, Mary Ella Gardner of Frankfort; five grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to The Nola VanderMeer Nursing Scholarship, Lees College, 601 Jefferson Ave., Jackson, KY 41339.

The Jackson Times, September 20, 2001