Mary LaNell "Nana" Landrum

Mary LaNell “Nana” Landrum, 91, of Beaumont, Texas passed away on Friday, December 9, 2011, at Emeritus Dowlen Oaks Nursing Home. Nell was born October 30, 1920, in Beaumont, Texas to Ervy and Myrtle Price and was a lifelong resident of Beaumont. She worked for 25 years as an Executive secretary to the Director of Water Utilities Department, City of Beaumont. During her years with the city, Nell had many Co-workers who became her lifelong friends. Nell was born into a Family of pioneer members of the Church of Christ who migrated from Tennessee to the Gilmer, Texas area. Nell was baptized into Christ at an early age and became a light to her family and friends helping lead each one of her children to Jesus. She remained ardent to her Christian Profession until the time of her death. She was a longtime member of the Ridgewood Church of Christ family. Nell was active in the Sertoma Club, as her husband Jess Landrum, was a former President, and she took a role in the La Sertoma Club. Nell grew up in a consummate baseball family. Her dad, Ervy, played for numerous semi-pro teams in the 1920’s and 1930’s in the Beaumont area. Her family were all big fans of the Beaumont Exporters often traveling with other fans to Houston for a weekend series with the Houston Buffs. In 1938 Nell graduated from Beaumont High School, and also met the love of her life, Jess Landrum, who was the All Southwest Conference 3rd. Baseman for the Texas Aggies. She remained a huge fan of Texas A&M football going to many games for the last 70 years. In 1938 Jess signed a major league contract with the Chicago White Sox and spent the year with the Sox in Chicago. Jess was assigned to the Shreveport Sports of Texas League. He and Nell were married at home plate in Shreveport, LA., before the May 19, 1939 game with Dallas. Nell and her family of five children followed Jess’s baseball career wherever it took them. Nell became a baseball widow in the 1950’s when Jess took a scouting job with the Chicago Cubs. His scouting career lasted into the 1970’s causing Nell to be both mother and father to her children during all those summers when Jess was away. Nell was preceded in death by her husband, Jess Landrum; son, Jerry Landrum; daughter, Mary Springfield; sisters, Bernice Chiles and Betty Curry. She is survived by her sons, Donnie Landrum and wife Linda of Beaumont and Ronny Landrum and wife Brenda of Kingwood; daughter, Sherry Dudley and husband Howard of Mabank, Texas; daughter-in-law, Dorothy Landrum of Beaumont; son-in-law, Jean Springfield of Van Vleck, Texas; 11 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. A gathering of family and friends will be held on Sunday, December 11, 2011, from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m., at Forest Lawn Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 12, 2011, at 11 a.m., at Forest Lawn Funeral Home Chapel with burial to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. Your condolences may be offered at: www.forestlawnmpfh.com.