Nell Esponge

Nellie “Nell” Ruth Gunnels Esponge entered the pearly gates of heaven to be with the Lord on Monday, March 17, 2025 at the age of 94. She was the devoted and cherished wife of the late Noles A. Esponge and spent 70 wonderful years together before his passing just five years ago. She was the loving mother of William James “Bill” Esponge (wife, Vicki) and Steven Wayne Esponge (wife, Kathy) and proud grandmother of one grandson, William Gregory “Greg” Esponge (wife, Angela), and one granddaughter, Kristina Renee Esponge Terry (husband, Michael), as well as great-grandmother to her five precious great-grandchildren, Kennedy, Mason, Kingston, Maverick, and Easton Terry, all of whom she loved and adored with all her heart.

Daughter of the late Milford Lee Gunnels, Sr. and Irma Lee Smith Gunnels.

Sister of Clarence Gunnels and Rebecca Cole as well as the late Annie Horne, Myrtle Brooks, Helen Knighton, Oma Jones, Milford Gunnels, Jr., William “Bill” Gunnels, Irma Lindsey, and Frank Gunnels.

Also survived and fondly remembered by many nieces, nephews, brother/sister in-laws, and dear friends.

Nell was a native of Phenix City, AL where she met her Cajun military man who was stationed at nearby Fort Benning in Columbus, GA. Upon his military discharge, he whisked her away to his hometown of Grand Isle, LA, later moving their residence to New Orleans, LA, then to Arabi, LA where they were longtime residents before settling in Lacombe, LA.

Member of First Baptist Church of Mandeville, former member of First Baptist Church of Chalmette, and Trinity Baptist Church, where she formed many special friendships, including the special bond that lasted throughout her lifetime with her Sunday School “Truth Seekers” class. She thoroughly enjoyed the many trips taken with her friends from each of these churches groups in her younger years, some just local outings and some that brought her to neighboring countries of Canada and Mexico as well as other countries abroad, such as Ireland, Scotland, England, France, Italy, Spain, and Greece, to name a few.

Nell retired with Sears Corporation where she worked in retail sales on Baronne St. in New Orleans and in catalog sales in Chalmette.

Favorite past memories which were talked about quite often included her camping and traveling adventures across the nation with her husband and young sons as well as taking a ride on the back of her husband’s Harley Davidson to different Shriner’s conventions along with other wives who called themselves “The Cyclelettes”. She also loved working really challenging puzzles, baking, and welcoming visits from her family and friends at any time of the day.

She was a woman of strong faith and well loved by many who will miss her deeply but are comforted in knowing she was welcomed in to the kingdom of heaven by our Lord and Savior.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend funeral services at 1:00 PM with family visitation from 10:30-11:00AM and general visitation from 11:00AM-1:00PM at ST. BERNARD MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME, 701 W. Virtue St., Chalmette, LA on Friday, March 28th, followed by her being laid to rest with her beloved husband in St. Bernard Memorial Gardens.