Nona Mauzy

Nona Luetta Mauzy, 92, passed away peacefully at the Oaks of Aiken Assisted Living on July 2nd, 2024. 

Nona was born in Weatherford, TX on May 23rd, 1932 to Jesse James Harlan and Ona Lee Grimes Harlan. She grew up in Texas until the family moved to Clayton, NM during her senior year of high school. After graduation she attended Highlands University in Las Vegas, NM where her love of crafting developed. 

She later attended nursing school in Dallas, TX where she met first husband, Art Gore, Jr. and father of her five children. They raised their family in Denver, CO where Art Gore became a successful photographer with the help of Nona. 

She and second husband, Ron Smith moved to Clayton, NM where they raised their blended family. Nona worked hard at many jobs including The Leader Newspaper while also helping Ron grow his Construction and Real Estate business. She was also a seamstress in her spare time. Nona had a huge heart especially when it came to children. She and Ron were foster parents to dozens of children. She also served on the Clayton City Counsel. 

Nona later worked at Clayton Title Service and the Eklund Hotel when she met her third husband, George Mauzy, a petroleum land man. She always said “they did their courting at the court house.” After both retired, they enjoyed taking cruises and going to Cripple Creek, CO. They had so much fun together. Nona continued to express her creativity through many crafts focusing on beaded jewelry. 

After the loss of George and her oldest son Arthur, she and son, Mark and daughter, Elizabeth moved to Aiken, South Carolina to be near youngest daughter, Mary. Nona continued to lead a full life going on cruises with best friend Caral McCall, playing bridge, beading and crafting and spending time on her porch with the family telling her many stories. Nona also loved the Chapel Hart Band and was affectionately known as “Mama Nona” to them. 

In January of this year, she moved to the Oaks at Aiken assisted living where she was loved by residents and staff alike. Nona’s creativity, infectious smile and spunky spirit shone brightly throughout her life. 

A private celebration of life was held on July 6th. 

If you would like to honor her, she was a regular supporter of the SPCA. Donations can be made in her memory at letlovelive.org. 

She was preceded in death by husbands Art Gore, Jr. and George Mauzy, her parents, brother John C. Harlan, sisters Dorothy Mae Harlan and Nancy Lightenburger, son Arthur Gore III, stepson Gregory Mauzy and granddaughter Dava Gore. Survivors are her children, Mark Gore and Mary Staggs of Aiken, SC; Byron (Sheila) Gore of Albuquerque, NM; Elizabeth Gore of Winston Salem, NC; Stepchildren Gina (Fred) Brown of Medina, TN; Ronald Smith of Roswell,NM; Renee Mauzy (David Duncan) of Buda,TX; Michelle Mauzy of Woodlands, TX; (Joan Michelle Mauzy) of Midland, TX; Grand Children Christian Gore of Denver, CO; Davin (Megan) Gore of Amarillo, TX; Kassandra (Lexin) of Akron, CO; Destiny Dye of High Point, NC; Tyman Dye of Greenville, SC; Bradley Staggs of Anchorage, AK; Danielle Staggs of Aiken, SC; Shon Jones of Kansas City, KS; Nikki Smith of Southhaven, MS; Mary Brown of Medina, TN. Ten great grandchildren. Also survived by her sister Mary Funderburg of Lake Jackson, TX and her children Becky Dorroh of Lake Jackson, TX; Paul (Ann) Funderburg of Sachse, TX; David (Tammy) Funderburg of Boerne, TX and Laura (Ted) Koehler of Brazoria, TX. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Pat Harlan of Leander, TX and her children Kathy (Dave) Harlan Raaum of Leander, TX; James P. (Susie) Harlan of Madison, AL; and Jeffrey Harlan of Austin, TX.

SHELLHOUSE-RIVERS FUNERAL HOME, 715 EAST PINE LOG RD., AIKEN, SC