Nadia Yackzan Yackzan Safady

Born in Beit Meri, Lebanon, on Feb. 25, 1928, to Silman and Linda (Hamood) Yackzan, Nadia was raised in a loving, nurturing family and lived in the beautiful mountains of Lebanon.

Losing her mother at a very young age and witnessing the love and dedication of her father and older siblings as they took over the child-rearing instilled a deep love of family in Nadia. She was a devoted wife to her husband, Hayel and a loving mother to her five children, 15 grandchildren and her 11 great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Safady was a kind and generous woman who loved to cook. Family and friends were always welcome in her home. A well-educated woman, she spoke three languages, Arabic, French and English.

She met her husband, Hayel, while visiting her sisters and attending a Middle Eastern Convention in Petersburg, Va. the summer of 1955.

They were married on July 9, 1955, and settled in Killeen where Hayel worked. There they raised their children and established multiple businesses.

Mrs. Safady was preceded in death by her husband, Hayel F. Safady; her parents, Silman and Linda Yackzan; her sisters, Zain Abou Shaheen, Bahia Basheer, Nabeeha Cassem and Samia Hamze; and her brother, Said Yackzan.

Survivors include her daughters, Camilla Safady Rasamny, Kathy Safady Ruiz (Austin) and JoAnn Safady; her sons, Fred Safady and Ernest Safady (Luci); and her brother, Kamal Yackzan.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Druze Orphanage in Lebanon, the Centex Humane Society or the First United Methodist Church Killeen Building Fund.

Visitation is from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home in Killeen, which is in charge of arrangements.