11817 Jefferson Highway
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Nelda J. Edwards, age 76 and a resident of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, peacefully passed away at her home on Saturday, March 9, 2013, at 7 a.m. She was born on June 19, 1936 in Olla, Louisiana. Nelda contracted polio at the age of 15 during the widespread polio epidemic. This was not a major deterrent for this strong willed lady. Nelda graduated from Baton Rouge High School and then received a degree in business from Louisiana State University in 1960. She graduated from LSU with honors and maintained her strong spirit as an avid LSU alumnus. Until two years ago, she attended all home LSU football games and held season tickets to the LSU men's basketball games for a number of years. If LSU was playing, Nelda was watching and cheering. Nelda worked as the legal secretary and office manager for Bobby L. Forrest and Associates until recent years when her health began to fail. She was a past member of the Baton Rouge Pilot Club and an officer in the Legal Secretaries Association. Nelda is survived by her brother William "Bill" Edwards and his wife Myrna Laborde Edwards of Baton Rouge; nephew Scott Edwards and his wife Liese McLean Edwards of Friendswood, Texas; two great nieces Lauren Michelle Edwards and Sarah Elizabeth Edwards. She was preceded in death by her mother Gladys Lisenby Markland and stepfather Mack G. Markland, both of Baton Rouge. Visitation will be held Thursday, March 14, 2013 from 10 a.m. until services at 1 p.m. at Resthaven Funeral Home, 11817 Jefferson Highway, Baton Rouge, LA 70816. Burial will follow in Resthaven Gardens of Memory. Pallbearers will be Scott Fournier, Reginald Laborde, Jimmy Rawlins, Danny Williamson, and David Winkler. Honorary pallbearers will be Bobby L. Forrest and F.G. Sullivan. The family would like to extend their gratitude to St. Joseph's Hospice for their exceptional care. Donations may be made to St. Joseph's Hospice, 10615 Jefferson Highway, Baton Rouge, LA 70809.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
GREAT MEMORIES!
LKS
LKS
Work
March 5, 2024
Had a conversation with a builder about Nelda Friday, all great wonderful memories.
God Bless
Larry K Sullivan
Friend
March 5, 2019
Prayers for peace and comfort. Fond memories prevail of Nelda at LSU and LSU ballgames. It was my honor to assist her whenever she came to the LSU Assembly Center. Her smile and positive attitude was an inspiration to all. We apologize for not making her services. Doctor's appointments got in the way. God bless to all. Cary and Gwen Fontenot
March 19, 2013
MS NELDA WAS ONE SPECIAL LADY AND SET A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR ALL OF US EVERYDAY. SEEN HER IN DECEMBER SHE WAS STILL WRITING COMPANY CHECKS. WE ALL HAVE BEEN BLESSED TO HAVE HAD HER IN OUR LIVES.
LARRY SULLIVAN
March 14, 2013
Nelda has been a friend for many years. We were in the Legal Secretary's Association together and I shall miss her. She always sent me real Christmas cards! Such a sweet lady.
Marylee Aycock
March 14, 2013
Nelda was a jewel of a lady - always smiling. I knew her well many years ago when we were active in the BR Legal Secretaries Assn. She, Gerry Malone and Barbara Smith set an example of excellence and professionalism that I greatly respected. I saw Nelda a few years ago at her office and was thrilled to see her smiling face. I pray that her family will be comforted by God's presence and love.
Sandra McMorris
March 13, 2013
I am so sorry to hear of Nelda's passing. I worked with Nelda many years ago at Forrest, Kiefer & Bacot. My heartfelt sympathy to the family.
Lynn Montgomery Montag
March 13, 2013
I was saddened to hear of Nelda's passing. I have known Nelda since 1964. My family moved away in 1974. On my return visits, I would give Nelda a call to catch up. My family returned to Baton Rouge in 2006. I contacted Nelda to help us with the closing of our home. We knew we didn't have to worry about a thing. We knew that Nelda was the "expert" on closings. Gerry Malone and I went to visit her last March and had fun catching up on "old times." I will miss her warm smile.
Lorraine Fontenot Lauret
Baton Rouge, LA
March 12, 2013
Nelda was such a part of my life at LSU. I discovered her one day while she was attempting to attend a class on the second floor of Himes Hall. We swiftly enlisted some guys with muscle to get her wheelchair up the stairs and I met her after class to be sure she got back to the first floor. This sparked a conversation and, for the next three years, I picked her up and brought her to school everyday. When I graduated, my brother took over and drove her for quite some time.It was often a challenge to get her in the car on the board she was taught to use (Mrs. Markland helped us)then load the wheelchair in the car and repeat the procedure when we got to LSU. It was especially crazy when it was raining but we had many laughs and got quite good at the whole procedure. It always amazed me that we could do everything we did with that chair, with her and with her classes. Things were not nearly as handicapped accessible as they are today.
I always thought Nelda's attitude, her acceptance of her disability, her humor and her work ethic would serve her well one day and, from what I read in her obit, she seems to have had a full and happy life. My greatest sadness is that we lost touch with each other over the years. We'd see each other at the football games and swear we'd keep in touch. True to what often happens in life, we never got together and the years flew by.
I cannot attend Nelda's services because I will be out of town on Thursday at the same time as her funeral, but I will attend Mass for her and her family early that morning. My sincere sympathy to each of you and I know that Nelda is at peace and enjoying her final resting place with God, our Father.
Betty Cicero Robert
March 12, 2013
Nelda was a special friend for some 15 years until I left Baton Rouge. I'm happy I saw her two years ago. I'll miss her. Barbara (Smith) Akins
March 12, 2013
What a beautiful picture and tribute to Nelda! I will always have fond memories of our friendship. May you rest in peace. Sincere sympathies and condolences to your family.
Angela Cameron Simms
March 12, 2013
I remember Ms. Nelda when I worked at the LSU Football games in the handicap section as a Marshall. Always a word of encouragement and a smile.
Anna Sanders
March 12, 2013
Showing 1 - 12 of 12 results
Funeral services provided by:
Resthaven Gardens of Memory & Funeral Home - Baton Rouge11817 Jefferson Highway, Baton Rouge, LA 70816
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read more