Elnora Kirby was born on March 16,1923, to Tom and Essie Gary. She had two brothers and seven sisters. She is the longest living and the only living of her birth family.
She is the mother of five children. One child and her husband are deceased.
Elnora graduated from Howard High School in 1942. Later she attended Zion College which was an extension of the University of Chattanooga. Blacks people could not attend this college to get an education.
Elnora worked as a childcare worker in private homes. She later became an employee of Hamilton County Courthouse as a custodian. Not long after, Dave Eldridge had been elected as trustee. He observed her kindness and commitment to work. She was the first black woman hired as a clerk in the Hamilton County Trustee's Office.
Elnora learned to cook at a young age which gave her the skills she needed to provide catering services throughout the Chattanooga area.
Elnora loved people all her life and made many sacrifices to help others. She believes her lifelong passion for helping, giving and loving others has contributed to her long life.
At 102 years of life she still loves making new friends and telling her life’s story. She has seen many changes in her life’s journey and can in detail tell you about the journey. Elnora enjoys life, loves to talk and doesn’t meet a stranger. She will be 102 years on Sunday.