Nodra was born in Paris, Kentucky April 17th, 1941 to Dorothy Mae Fisher and Ernest Thompson Wade. Nodra was the second eldest child from this union.
Nodra graduated from William Howard Taft High School in 1958 and went on to enroll and complete her Nursing Degree in 1961 from the Jewish Hospital School of Nursing. She practiced nursing for nearly 50 years until her retirement from this position in 2016. Her nursing career included several significant “firsts” In 1972 she was hired at Procter & Gamble as the first African-American industrial nurse. Following this significant achievement, she was hired as one of first African American nurses employed by Bethesda Hospice. She served as an active Alumni of Bethesda Hospice till the end of her life.
In her retirement she followed her dreams of traveling the globe. Her most significant excursion was the homage to Africa. However, she was equally proud of her ventures to China, Hawaii, London, France, Costa Rica, Jamaica, and Aruba.
She was the epicenter of our family, and championed herself as a protector. She was a natural care giver who cared for her mother, sisters, and brothers, ex-husband, and nephews until the end of their lives. She frequently extended her graciousness to those in need. She had a particular soft spot for the well-being of her nieces and nephews. Her home was resting place; a recharging station for countless loved ones and extended family. Her friends and family would describe her as smart, funny, and she had a long-term dream to write and publish a book. Although her career and traveling brought much fondness and memorable moments to her very full life, none could compare to her role as mother to Charlene (Taz) and Tyler, her beloved children and a grandmother to Logan and Jared.
Nodra was a faithful member of Southern Baptist Church in Cincinnati OH. She was close friends with Jan Battle whom she traveled with on a few of her global trips.
Her loving legacy will be cherished by her family. She is survived by the following.
Charlene (Adrian) and Tyler, her children. Grandchildren: Logan and Jared; niece Shanika Wilson and a host of other nieces and nephews.