Nola Fern Driver

Nola Fern Driver was born September 6, 1925 in Compton, Arkansas, and died March 4, 2013 at home in Fort Collins, Colorado. Her parents were Homer Dewey and Belva Ora Plumlee. Fern was the first born and had two brothers, Elmer Shirley and Edward Lee and one sister, Nina Laverne Smith. Fern attended grade school in Plumlee, Arkansas, then to Compton where there were better schools, and where she graduated from the eighth grade. She then attended the School of the Ozarks, a boarding school in Point Lookout, Missouri. After one semester, her family moved to Jerome, Idaho, in 1938 because of the depression and better job opportunities for her dad. Fern met Shelah Frank Driver at the Jerome church of Christ where he was ministering as the full time preacher. They fell in love and were married by W. S. Boyett on December 13, 1943 in the basement of her parent's house, which was under construction. She was a senior in high school and would have graduated in a few months, but marriage superseded. The couple moved immediately to Lewiston, Idaho, to start a new preaching job. While in Lewiston, Fern attended Lewiston Business College to further her education. They moved to Grants Pass, Oregon, where Vannah was born, Walla Walla, Washington; and Nocona, Texas, where Mary was born. Next was Lometa, Texas; Lincoln, Nebraska; and Tatum, New Mexico; and from there to Walters, Oklahoma, where Tim was born. They moved to Sioux City, Iowa, for seven years, but Frank preached only three years until he switched careers to selling life insurance. Fern worked at Montgomery Ward doing clothing alterations. The family moved to Fort Collins, Colorado, in August 1961, hoping to get away from the humid weather and to alleviate allergies. Fern worked in a restaurant as a cook and server until she successfully obtained work with Woodward Governor in 1967. She remained employed there until retiring on September 30, 1988 after 21 years of service. She then devoted full time to her favorite past time of gardening--growing beans, corn, squash, and a variety of other vegetables. Every fall was filled with significant effort to can all these goods to keep family members healthy with fresh food from her garden. She was a master gardener who created a lush garden anyone would be proud of. Everything was done with utmost care and precision. Fern also had passion for quilting and decorating cakes. Many children, grandchildren and others have benefitted from the fruits of her labor--beautiful baby quilts and spectacular wedding cakes--all done with her special touch of love and grace. Fern was preceded in death by her husband, her mother, her father, her brothers and her sister. She is survived by her three children, eight grand children and 20 great-grand children. Fern Driver was a Christian who loved and honored God's Word, and she was the consummate preacher's wife--supportive of Frank, hospitable, friendly, always ready to grace visitors and friends with the best home cooking ever. She never disappointed. Before Frank died, he said she was the perfect wife. Fern was always a generous woman, and she inspired her family to be like-minded. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday at Bohlender Funeral Chapel. Interment will follow at Resthaven Memory Gardens Cemetery.