Ira Lee (Airalee) Moore Fugate, age 87 of Calhoun, TN, died January 1, 2012 at the home of her son Donald Lee Fugate in Calhoun.
A native of Thompson, Georgia and longtime resident of McMinn County, she was the daughter of the late Lenton Clea Moore and Lillie Mae Cox Moore. She was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Lawrence Horace “Shorty” Fugate; 2 sisters, Gladys Leola Moore Lewis and Virginia Maybell Moore Casteel Brock; 2 brothers, Wayne Harold Moore and Milton Ray Moore.
Regarded as a most spiritual Christian woman, Mrs. Fugate was a dedicated member and the oldest living member of Hiwassee Baptist Church and a 50 year member of the Tennessee Order Of The Eastern Star, #187 Calhoun Chapter. She was retired from McMinn Co. Board of Education where she had worked as Manager of the Calhoun Elementary School Cafeteria and later as a cook for Calhoun High School/Elementary School Cafeteria; where many students knew her as “Grandma Fugate”. Mrs. Fugate was well known in the community for her culinary skills especially baking and desserts.
Cherished by family and friends, Mrs. Fugate is survived by a sister Nellie Irene Moore Saffels; 5 children, Wilma June Fugate Stanley and husband, Don L. Stanley, Lawrence Leo Fugate and wife, Glenda Coe Fugate, Donald Lee Fugate and wife, Linda Weaver Fugate, Phillip Edward Fugate and wife, Annette Coe Fugate, Ronald Allen Fugate and wife, Michelle Dunn Fugate; 9 grandchildren, Joseph Anthony Stanley and wife, Holly Chapman Stanley, Lisa Kaye Fugate, Donna Lynn Fugate, Rebecca Diane Fugate Casteel, and husband Rodney Casteel, Tonya Suzanne Fugate English Nash, and husband Aaron Nash, William Andrew Coe Fugate, Martha Helen Lee Fugate Miller, and husband Marcus Miller, Melissa Anne Fugate and husband, Brent Tuggle, Amanda Leigh Fugate; 7 great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be 11 AM Wednesday at Hiwassee Baptist Church with Rev. Bill Sneed officiating. The body will lie in state 1 hour prior to the service. Burial will follow in Calhoun Cemetery with Joe Stanley, Andrew Fugate, Marcus Miller, Aaron Nash, Rodney Casteel and Brent Tuggle serving as pallbearers.
The family will receive friends 5-8 PM Tuesday at Ziegler Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Hiwassee Baptist Church, 506 Co. Rd. 950, Calhoun, TN 37309.
If you are unable to attend the visitation or funeral service, please sign the online registry at: www.zieglerfuneralhome.com
Ziegler Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of Ira Lee (Airalee) Fugate.