Nelson William Hebert

Nelson William Hebert passed away on August 28, 2021 at his home surrounded by loved ones. A native of Baton Rouge, LA he was born on April 11, 1939. Drafted into the army in 1964, he proudly served his country and received accommodations as a top marksman. He was honorable discharged and returned home where he joined his father as a welder. He joined local 582 Boilermakers and was a loyal member of the Union for at least 40 years until he retired. Nelson’s true love, other than his wife Brenda, was to race. He started racing the streets of Baton Rouge when he purchased his 1957 Chevy. He was a founding member of the Vampire Club of Baton Rouge. The thrill of racing was his passion. In the early years, he was often found at Pel State Dragway. Later when he acquired his 1973 Chevy Vega he hit the quarter of a mile doing 130 in 10.1 seconds at SCR Raceway and at No Problem Raceway. Nelson also raced cars at the dirt track in his 1955 Chevy #88 and later 1967 Chevelle #11. The joke was “if the car flipped, we always knew the number.” He is preceded in death by his beloved wife Brenda Smith, son-in-law Robert Gregory Ruffino, and parents Thomas and Louella Hebert. He is survived by his daughter Rhonda Hebert Ruffino and son Troy William Hebert. Along with his grandchildren Olivia and Grant Ruffino, Heather, Dan, and Troy Hebert. His siblings Sharon Hebert Owens, Janet and Gary Hebert, Bonnie and Joe Hebert along with nieces and nephews. Family and friends are invited to attend the visitation at Greenoaks Funeral Home and Memorial Park 9595 Florida Boulevard on Friday September 3rd at 9AM followed by a Christian service at 10:30AM. Interment will follow at Greenoaks Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, family and friends are asked to donate in Nelson’s name to Our Lady of Mercy Traditions for Tomorrow Campaign or to the LA/MS Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (attention New Orleans Office). The family would like to thank the Amedisys Home Health and Hospice Service team along with his brother and sister-in- laws Dixie and Ray Guitreau, Kathy Smith Young, Marcia and Richard Empson, and Lonnie and Thomas Daggett. Family friends Joe Thorn and David Stafford. Nelson raced the race he wanted, he truly did it his way. He loved life, his family, and his friends. He finally crossed the ultimate finish line and has taken his final checkered flag that waved him to victory.