Nelda Rose Overby

Nelda Overby was called home to heaven as she peacefully slept on September 6, 2022. Nelda was born on September 29, 1923, on the Pearson family farm in Ochiltree county in the Texas panhandle, to Danial Bester Pearson and Alice Melinda Huston Pearson. Nelda was the youngest of 12 children – six boys and six girls. In the early 1900s, Nelda’s parents and older siblings moved to the Texas panhandle by covered wagon. Her father was a school teacher and was unable to raise a large growing family on a teacher’s salary. The move to the high plains of the panhandle was motivated by hopes of buying inexpensive raw land that could be broken up for wheat farming. The family was able to buy land, build a house and farm and make a living. This part of the country was the last frontier to be settled in part due to inhospitable geographical and weather conditions. Life on the farm was not easy and required extremely hard work. This instilled a toughness in Nelda and all her siblings. Even though Nelda had an inner toughness, she was very sweet, caring and loving. Everyone she ever met commented on what a wonderful lady she was. Nelda grew up in a world far different from the one she left behind. She was born at home. There was no running water, electricity, telephone or indoor plumbing. But what they did have was a home full of 12 wonderful brothers and sisters and two loving parents. She cherished everything about her family and growing up. Nelda experienced and survived many things. The great depression was a difficult time for everyone, but people who lived in the High Plains also had to endure the dust bowl years of the 1930s. This part of the country went through extreme hardship of death, financial ruin, bankruptcy and relocation. Her family was blessed to be able to survive and continue farming. Although Nelda grew up mostly on the farm in Texas, many of her school years were spent with several of her siblings in Norman Oklahoma , where she graduated from Norman high school and the University of Oklahoma with a B.S. Degree in nutrition. All 12 children were college educated, and the family holds the record for the most of any family to graduate from the University of Oklahoma – 10. As part of the WW 2 war effort, Nelda worked as an inspector at the McDonald Douglas aircraft factory which was producing airplanes for the military. Although none of the Pearson boys were lost during WW2, Nelda’s college sweetheart and fiance’ Walter “Jack” Watson, was killed in action as he was piloting a bomber on a mission over Germany. After the war, Nelda moved to Galveston, Texas where she worked as a dietitian at the John Sealy University of Texas hospital. While working at the hospital, she met a young intern, Dr. Harry T. Overby. The two were married in January of 1952. In 1959, they moved to Boca Raton, Florida where they would live the rest of their days. During the second half of her life, Nelda and Harry were able to enjoy traveling and took several trips to countries all over the world. Nelda was preceded by her parents, Daniel and Alice; husband Harry; brothers Roger, Grady, Ira, Murble, Daniel Jr., and Huston; sisters Wilma Mikeska, Mary Alice Goodson, Marcella Blackburn, Clifford White and Russie Anderson. She is survived by her children Mary Overby (Noog) and Harold Overby (Melody). Grandchildren: Shannon Montgomery, Liz Dodds, Miriam Huston (Matthew), Mae-Anne Qureshi (Naz), Michelle Bond (Nick) and Matthew Nguyen. But there is good news. Nelda is a believer in Jesus Christ. She accepted Christ as a child and continued to follow Him throughout her life. She is saved and already in heaven and that gives us great comfort. Without faith, what does one really have at this time of our lives? Really that is all we truly have because the sands are running out on this life. So we mourn the loss, but celebrate the victory, that Nelda is with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

All are welcome to attend a memorial service at 1:00 on Saturday September 17th at the Babione- Kraeer Funeral Home at 1100 North Federal Highway, Boca Raton, Fl.