Nelda Jean Barron

Nelda Jean Barron, departed this life into God's presence on Saturday, August 17, 2024 at the age of 94. She was born on August 31, 1929, to Mitch and Dora Barron. She was the eldest daughter of six children. Her father worked in the oil industry, so most of her younger life was spent between Mississippi and Arkansas. Around the age of 18, Nelda fell in love with a handsome young Navy sailor, Heyward Brown, and they soon married on October 11, 1947. Together they settled in Poplarville and raised their three children Ronnie, Ricky, and Karen.

Nelda lived in an era where many women chose to be stay at home mothers and homemakers, but being an independent woman, she went to work. Her jobs included the garment factory and Paul Bounds Feed Store. In 1973, she decided to further her education and enrolled in the L.P.N program at Pearl River College. It was here she found her life’s true calling. From 1974 to 2001 she loved and cared for patients. She also mentored and inspired many others along the way to follow in her path, including her daughter and granddaughter. Even after retirement and at the end of her days she would say “I’m just up here taking care of these old people."

Like all of us Nelda had her ups and downs in life. At a young age she lost her first love Heyward to cancer, but she was resilient with a love for life and travel. She went on to marry three additional times throughout her life. Nelda loved being a wife and caring for her companions.

Even at nearly 95 years old, Nelda never thought of herself as old. All who knew her can attest to her love of clothes and shoes. She was always a well-dressed lady. She was also outspoken and never let you wonder how she felt about any situation, but most of all Nelda was a child of God. She loved the Lord and came from a long line of faith filled women. She woke each morning praising the Lord and ended each day on her knees praying for her family and thanking God for her blessings. Her favorite saying was “the Lord is so good” followed promptly by a kiss she would place right on the mouth. There was no use in fighting it because turning your head to the left or right would not save you from her kiss. Although she will be greatly missed there is no doubt where she is today. There is such a sweet peace knowing we will see her again in glory.

Nelda was preceded in death by her father, Joseph Mitchell Barron; mother, Josephine Eldora Amacker Barron; three brothers, Glenn, Don and Harold Barron; two sisters, Alice Barron and Ima Malley Reid. Also, her husbands, Heyward Brown, Arledge Byrd, Edward Saucier, and E.J Seal.

Left to honor her memory are her children, Ronnie (Cindy) Brown, Ricky Brown, and Karen (Roy) Broadus; her grandchildren, Melissa (Gavin) Guy, LaRon (Christie) Brown, Shelley (Nicole) Brown, Amy Cormier, Chad (Mandy) Smith, Cody Snelling, Steven Brown and Melinda Brown along with numerous great and great-great grandchildren.

Family and friends are invited to attend Nelda's funeral service on Thursday, August 22, 2024, for 3:00 pm at Oak Hill Pentecostal Church, 604 Oak Hill Road, Poplarville, Mississippi. Visitation will begin at 2:00 pm. Burial to follow her funeral service in Oak Hill Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers are Tyler Smith, Taylor Smith, Chandler Stanford, Laron Brown, Shelley Brown and Cameron Brown.