Nolan Bailey Alders

After a long life enjoying God’s favor, Nolan Bailey Alders passed from this life into the arms of his Savior, Jesus Christ, on June 23, 2026. He was born in Nacogdoches, Texas to William Weldon Joseph Bailey Alders and Ruby Gertrude (Duke) Alders on February 17, 1932, in the midst of America’s Great Depression, into a farming family short on money and goods but long on love, faith, and a strong work ethic. He grew up working in the fields his father leased for vegetable production and, as he grew, he learned to be a successful salesman through marketing the family’s produce and watermelons.

Nolan is preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Nathan, two sisters, Loretta Waggoner and Rose (Joyce) Johnson, and a beloved grandson, Jon David. He is survived by his wife, Virginia, a brother and sister-in-law, Buddy and Paula, a sister, Bonnie, two sons and daughters-in-law, Bailey and Melanie and David and Nicole, twelve grandchildren, Nolan (Bethany), Natalie Johnson (Nathaniel), Daniel (Joanna), Emily Farrell (Robert), Drew (Taylor), Will (Allison), Sam (Sarah), Anne Elisabeth Paul (Luke), Kyla Hatcher (Russell), Sarah Grace Capone (Aaron), Caroline Salmon (Josh), Karys Gonnella (Kris), and thirty-one great grandchildren.

Nolan graduated from Nacogdoches High School in 1949 and from Stephen F. Austin State College in 1953. While serving as NHS Student Body President as a senior, he became acquainted with Virginia Richey, the Junior Class representative to the Student Council. Later, as students at SFA, they began a life-long romance that included more than 73 years of marriage. After college, he and Virginia began long careers as educators, he as a Vocational Agriculture teacher and she as a Home Economics instructor. In 1971, he became NISD’s first Vocational Administrator and continued in that post until 1989, when he retired from a 36-year career in public education. He received numerous honors including the Texas Outstanding Educator from the Texas Association of Directors and Supervisors of Vocational Education, an organization he had previously served as President. Following retirement, he began a final career as a forest landowner and manager, serving on the board of the Texas Forestry Association and in 2010 receiving the Ed Wagoner Leadership Award, the highest honor given each year by TFA.

In 1961, he purchased farm property a few miles east of Nacogdoches where he and Virginia reared their sons and built a herd of quality beef cattle. He later bought additional properties for cattle and timber production, striving always to implement practices that would produce the best quality cattle and pine timber and enhance his properties’ value. During the course of his agricultural career, and especially after retirement from education, he became increasingly involved in Texas Farm Bureau, serving on the Nacogdoches County board for several decades and for a term as its President. In 2003, he and Virginia were designated the Farm Family of the Year in Nacogdoches County, and in 2014, he was awarded the Texas Farm Bureau Pioneer Award. His commitment to his community and region, agriculture, forestry, and natural resources inspired his involvement in various community causes, including service as a director of the Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce, a member of the advisory committee for the construction of I-69, and numerous Farm Bureau, Texas Forestry Association, and church committees.

Throughout his life, Nolan was a passionate fisherman, hunter, and outdoorsman. His favorite hunting partners were brothers, sons, and grandsons, and he especially treasured fishing trips as a younger man with his friends Walter Swann, Tom Baker, and Woodrow Baker. He loved his agriculture students and was especially proud of their success in life, in farming, teaching, and various professional careers.

Throughout his life, Nolan was a member of the United Pentecostal Church, serving as a trustee or board member in several local churches. Since 1992, he was a faithful member of Christian Life Center, and he was pleased that his son was his pastor. He believed God’s Word in Scripture to be true in every respect, and he lived to please and glorify his Savior, Jesus. His family gave him great joy and the satisfaction that his greatest legacy was not monetary or material but human.

In concluding his autobiography, published in 2024, he quoted Philippians 4:8-9:

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”

For their dedicated service to Nolan, his family expresses their great gratitude to his compassionate caregivers, Emma Cartwright, Tangela Deckard, Virginia Keggler, and Staca Cumby, and to his doctor and friend, Mark Cline.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, June 26, 2026, at Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Home officiated by Bro. Bailey Alders and David Alders. Visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 9:00 am. Interment will follow the funeral service at Sunset Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either Christian Life Academy (2604 N Stallings Dr., Nacogdoches, TX 75964) or Regents Academy (200 NE Stallings Dr., Nacogdoches, TX 75961).