Nelda Wade

Funeral service will be held at 2:30 pm Friday, October 22, 2021 at Memorial Funeral Chapel in Bryan. Interment will follow at Bryan City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:30 – 7:30 pm Thursday at the funeral home. The family respectfully request that all guest please wear a mask for the visitation and service.

Nelda was preceded in death by parents, Roy and Oma Lyon; two baby sisters; husband, Russell M. Wade; in-laws Norris and Mable Wade, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, D. and Elizabeth Burrage.

She is survived by her son, Gregory Wade of Bryan; cousins, Mike and Evelyn Wade of Waco and Donald Rutherford of Topeka, Kansas.

She grew up in two small Texas towns. The first 13 years of her life were spent in Mt. Calm where she made many lifelong friends and memories. She accepted Christ when she was 12 years old at the First Baptist Church, Mt. Calm. She remembered many fun times there, when her parents would entertain with food and games. She was invited to listen to the first radio in town. She practiced her violin, learned tap dancing and sang in the choral club. She loved her life there even though the Great Depression made everyone poorer, she hardly noticed because everyone was in the same situation and made the best of things with friends and neighbors.

Her family moved to Coolidge, TX in 1936 where she finished high school and again made lifelong friends. She met her future husband, Russell M. Wade there. She and Russell had fun dating. Special friends came and spent many nights and weekends with Nelda's family. On some Wednesday nights the backseat was filled with friends and they went to the movie in a nearby town.

After high school Nelda went to business school and got a job while Russell worked in Dallas. She married Russell on July 16, 1942, two weeks before Russell went into the service. It was six months before they were reunited in California where Russell served for three years during WWII. Together, but far from home, they faced those years bravely. Their landlord was from Texas and watched out for them. While Russell was away, Nelda took a job at the base in a building with a dirt floor. During the Santa Ana winds she had to wear a gas mask because of the dust. She knew the people around them made sure they were all right and treated them like family because they were so young. When Russell was discharged, they returned to Texas across the desert by bus. She hated it.

They settled in Bryan in 1946. Nelda joined Central Baptist Church and maintained her membership 75 years. Greg was born in 1947. Nelda's priorities were always her family, church and friends. She was a dedicated wife and mother always putting family needs before her own. She enjoyed being a homemaker and was known to decorate. She was active in church and Sunday school. She entertained her many outstanding friends with parties and get to gathers. She worked outside the home when Greg was in school. In later years, she was a dedicated caregiver for her parents and husband and devoted more than 20 years tending to their needs.

She and Russell were happily married for 65 years. In retirement she and Russell enjoyed road trips to visit the mountains and had many fun visits with Greg in Kansas, where he worked. When Russell became ill she cared for him at home until he had to have nursing home care. She cared for him four years there.

She was a faithful Christian her whole life. She was raised in a devout Christian family who loved her unconditionally. She was committed to a Christian family life for her and Russell and Greg. She joined Central Baptist Church in 1946 and maintained her membership for 75 years. She was always a lady. She had the values of a traditional Texas lady and loved her state and country. She hoped to be remembered most for her steadfast love of God which gave her faith, courage and honesty and her ability to express love to all her friends and family. She is deeply missed.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Bill Adkinson, Leon Rummel, Mike Wade, Justin Smith, Harold Chilton, Joey Boring.

The family express special thanks to the medical practitioners and caregivers for their compassionate care and support, Dr. David Buras, Dr. Kennon Wigley and Laura Pugh; Hospice Brazos Valley and Home Instead, caregivers Tia, Davi, Faridat and special longtime friend and caregiver, Melinda Lopez.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.