Mrs. Nell Elizabeth Gordon Isenhour of 215 Confederate Avenue, Salisbury, and formerly of Bay Hill Florida and Blowing Rock, North Carolina, died at her home on February 19, 2012 at the age of 100.

She was born on December 1, 1911 in Statesville, North Carolina to Isaac Martin Gordon and Mary Oliver Gordon. She was educated in the Pilot Mountain school system and attended Salem College. She graduated with highest honors from Meredith College in May, 1934. It was while she was at Meredith that she met the love of her life and the man to whom she would be married for 74 years, John Henry Isenhour of Salisbury. They were married on March 30, 1935 and rather than pursue her own career, she chose to be a loving wife to her husband and help him with his business and political endeavors. She was a devoted stay-at-home mother to her two children.

She was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, and for as long as her health permitted, was an active member of the Lutheran Church Women. She was also a member of the Blowing Rock Methodist Church in Blowing Rock, North Carolina.

She was a charter member of the Salisbury Junior Woman's Club and a member of the Salisbury Country Club, the Blowing Rock Country Club, and the Bay Hill Club in Orlando, Florida.

Mrs. Isenhour had a love of gardening, antiques and interior decorating, and was also a writer. She is the author of two hard-back non-fiction books, "Rice to Grandchildren," and "Fabulous, yet Practical," and a paperback non-fiction booklet entitled "Death is not the End."

Along with her husband, she co-founded the John and Nell Isenhour, Sr. First Family Scholarship at Catawba College. This scholarship provides financial assistance to Catawba's best and brightest students.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Evelyn Gordon Ripple of Winston-Salem, North Carolina and Mary Lois Gordon Thomas of Pilot Mountain, North Carolina and Orlando, Florida.

She is survived by her son, John Henry Isenhour, Jr. and wife, Judy, of Salisbury; and her daughter, Kay Gordon Isenhour Kyle and husband, John, of Bethesda Maryland, five grandchildren: Katherine Wynfield Isenhour Frame, Rebecca Nell Isenhour Shealy, John Henry Isenhour III (Tripp), Harold John Kyle (Jay), and Gordon Page Kyle and eight great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Isenhour will be remembered as a quiet, loving wife and mother with a brilliant mind who found her greatest joy in being the wind beneath the wings of her husband, her two children and all those whom she loved.

At her request, a private burial service will be held at Chestnut Hill Cemetery for the family. There will be no visitation. Summersett Funeral Home will be assisting with the arrangements.

It is Mrs. Isenhour's wish that, in lieu of food or flowers, memorials be made as follows: Family Crisis Council of Rowan County, 131 West Council Street, Salisbury, North Carolina 28144 or to Blowing Rock Methodist Church, Post Office Box 352, Blowing Rock, North Carolina 28605, or to the charity of one's choice.

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