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Nathan Shankle, 81, passed peacefully in his home surrounded by those whom he loved most on Friday, August 23, 2024, after a brief battle with cancer.

Born in Elizabethton, Tenn., in 1943, Nathan spent his childhood days raising livestock and tilling land with his 10 brothers and sisters. Although getting him to leave the cave on the mountainside to attend first grade was difficult, he graduated Unaka High School in 1962. Along the way, he met his beloved, Louella Blevins. Nathan was a firm believer in love at first sight because he felt it at age 15 when he first saw her.

He drove a tractor-trailer for many years, eventually retiring from Yellow Freight and as a proud member of the Teamsters Union. He found great delight in picking tunes on his guitar and caring for the land that so gracefully provided for him and his family for over 100 years. If he wasn’t playing guitar or riding his tractor, he was telling amusing stories that brought laughter and smiles to anyone lucky enough to listen. Nathan was a thoughtful and kind-hearted friend to all, never hesitating to lend a helping hand to those who needed it.

Nathan was preceded in death by his parents, Eb and Ethel Shankle; his five brothers, Otis, Willie, Frank, Bobby, and Wes; and his four sisters, Grace, Cordie, Carmelita, and Margaret.

He is survived by his wife, Louella, the love of his life; by his devoted and fearless daughter, Angelina Skiles (Sam), of whom he was so proud; and by his grandchildren, Malcolm Walsh (Grace) and Connor Walsh, who brought Nathan immense joy. Also surviving are Nathan’s sister, Louella Russell (Johnny); a number of loving nieces and nephews; and Nathan’s two greatest friends, Waymon Carrier and Roger Colbaugh.

Although Nathan Shankle leaves a grieving community of loved ones behind, they are brought to peace knowing that he was glad to leave this life on the same land where he was brought into this life over 81 years ago.

The family will have a celebration of life in the fall of this year with details to come.