Nelda Faye Wales Burgess was born on January 19, 1922 and went to her heavenly home on July 13, 2019. Nelda was 97 years old and was preceded in death by her husband Lester Manuel Burgess, her parents, 2 sisters Helon and Margie and 1 brother Bubba.
Nelda graduated from Florence High School, Florence, Texas, in 1939. She was a homemaker and worked as a telephone operator and a florist. Nelda loved the Lord and accepted Him as her Lord and Savior at the age of 14 at the First Baptist Church in Florence, Texas.
Nelda had a great sense of humor but could be serious when necessary. She loved the Dallas Cowboys and the San Antonio Spurs. Her great grandson would tease her and called the Spurs the Spares. Nelda married Lester Manuel Burgess on July 8, 1945 in Florence, Texas, after a 3 year courtship by mail. Les was stationed in England during World War II and met Nelda's brother Bubba. Bubba showed him a picture of his sister and they started corresponding. Les was from Anaheim, California, and when he returned home he came to Texas and after a week of getting acquainted - they said it was as if they had known each other all their lives - they married and were married for 64 years.
Their son, Norman Leslie Burgess, was born on May 14, 1946. He was their miracle and their life revolved around him. Nelda was her son's cheerleader in school watching him play all sports and when she moved to Frisco she cheered on her great grandson Gavin at his soccer, baseball and football games and her great granddaughter's dance recitals and activities. She once said her great grandchildren were her reason for living. She was known as MamMa to her grandsons and great grandson but when Ivy came along she named her MoMo. When Ivy was told MoMo would be going to heaven soon she smiled and said "MoMo will get to be with God now. And she will be like a star forever." Nelda is survived by her son, Norman and his wife Ann of Frisco, Grandson Jon and wife Laurie of Oak Point, Grandson Jason and wife Ashley of Plano and Great Grandson Jon Gavin of Oak Point and Great Granddaughter Ivy Rayne of Plano, Texas, many nieces and nephews and a very special friend Lorraine Kraft of New Braunfels.
Nelda lived in New Braunfels for 40 years and was a member of First Baptist Church of New Braunfels. As a couple Nelda and Les were members of the Victory Sunday School class there, sang in the Sonshine Choir where Nelda always joked that she was not an alto or soprano but an "also". They volunteered with the Chamber of Commerce, Red Cross and the hospital and in 2005 Nelda received the President's Lifetime Achievement Award for volunteering over 4,000 hours. When Les was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2008 they moved to Frisco at the beginning of 2009 to be near their family and Les passed away in May of 2009. Nelda lived in a home around the corner from her son until 2 years ago when she moved to Mustang Creek Estates assisted living house. At Mustang Creek she continued to live out her faith daily and prayed before her meals in the dining room and encouraged others at her table to do the same.
Nelda faithfully attended Crossridge Church in Little Elm where she was loved by all, especially her Sunday School class who called her "The CEO." She loved helping at Vacation Bible School and other activities at the church. Until 2017 Nelda composed on her computer specialty cards that she sent out to class members with poems she had written and scripture verses. Her cards were treasured by all who received them.
1 John 3:23 says we must believe in the name of the Son, Jesus Christ and love one another just as He commanded us. A special thanks to those that loved her well - her deacons at Crossridge and their wives - Tony Piccola, Larry Nealy, Jeff Sims and Mike Walker, the caregivers at Mustang Creek Estates, Dr. Jennifer Zomnir and Keisha Bello, our daughter-in-law Laurie's family who adopted Nelda as their own and to Hal and Nancy Filer who visited her each week and to so many others who visited, sent cards, called, brought chocolate and goodies and enriched her life by their love and friendship.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
v.1.8.18