Tiny Nancy Ruth Steele

Tiny Nancy Ruth Steele

April 18, 1941 – July 4, 2021

Tiny Nancy Ruth Steele (Wallace) departed this earth on Sunday, July 4th, 2021 at the age of 80.  She left behind a legacy of love, Christian faith, and strength.  She was Bradley County’s first ‘incubator baby’ being born over 3 months early and spending her early days in a primitive incubator but surviving and thriving, earning the name “Tiny”.  That strength persisted her whole life and through a catastrophic paralyzing injury at the age of 70.  Her toughness and determination served her through the very end.

Tiny was raised in Cleveland, Tennessee; attended Lipscomb University, and was a graduate of Lee University and University of Tennessee-Chattanooga.  She proudly achieved a Masters in Education and nearly completed her PhD.  She was devoted to her students in the Bradley County school system and finished her working years in the Rhea County school system as a Special Education teacher.

Tiny was preceded in death by her parents, Carl William Wallace and Beulah Roselle Wallace (Lackey) of Cleveland, and beloved son, David L. Murray. 

Tiny is survived by the true love of her life, husband of 41 years, Calvin S. Steele, Sr.  She was also survived by loving daughter, Cyndi Murray Melendez (Dom); step-children, Lysa Voight (Tony) and Calvin Steele, Jr.; grandchildren, Amanda Kee (Eric) and Trey Brown; and Great-grandchildren, Braiden Brown, Harper Kee, and Harrison Kee; Further survived by step-grandchildren Ken Voight; Lindy Davidson; and Sidney, Justin, Scott, and Samantha Steele.  Tiny was also survived by siblings, Bob Wallace (Faye) and Elaine Mason (Jewel), and many nieces and nephews.

She was so very loved and will be forever missed.

Condolences may be shared at lane-southcrestchapel.com

Arrangements are by the South Crest Chapel of Lena Funeral Home & Crematory, Rossville.