Laura Mae Nash

Laura Mae (McGee) Nash, born December 14, 1929 in Wewoka, Oklahoma to Pearl Mary (Meeks) McGee and Elder Eugene McGee, was the first born in a family of four beautiful and talented children – Laura, Annie, Eddie and Ruth.

Laura, at the age of 12, committed her life to Christ. She, along with a host of family actively engaged as members of the “O” Street Church – now known as Trinity Church of God In Christ (COGIC) in Bakersfield California. Laura's love for music, combined with her God given ability to reach souls for Christ through song, led her to her appointment of “O” Street Church Choir President & Director. This appointment was the first of many that followed, opening doors of opportunity to further expand and diversify her ministerial impact. Such roles included COGIC Northern California District Choir President, COGIC Northern California District State Sunday School Correspondence Secretary, Regional Sunshine Band Leader, and COGIC Southern California District Sunday School Field Worker. It was clear and evident, Laura not only loved the Lord, she wanted others to know Him and become fellow willing workers for Christ.

As Laura continued her quest to further the cause for Christ, she was introduced to Rufus Lee Nash – her husband of 66 years in 1953 while attending a church revival service in Riverside California. History has it, it was love at first sight. She saw in him Godly attributes and he in her grace and beauty. Rufus asked for Laura's hand in marriage in 1953 in the home of Laura's parents in Bakersfield, California – with a ring in his pocket. From that moment on, it was clear that a Pastor's wife calling was in Laura's destiny.

Rufus and Laura chose a quaint home in San Bernardino, California to begin their family journey. Two became five in the span of the ensuing six years. Pastoral duties at Victorville COGIC in Victorville, California was honing Laura's positive influence and impact as a first lady. All the while, the loving and caring attention she bestowed upon her three children, Debbra Joyce, Wayne Keith, and Valerie Ann, was shared generously and without expectation of return.

When Rufus received a job opportunity in Sacramento, California, Rufus and Laura packed up the family and headed north. After serving and ministering at Prayer Temple COGIC, Rufus and Laura accepted the calling to pastor in Broderick, California, then to Full Gospel Fellowship Pentecostal COGIC in Sacramento California.

As time marched on and health began to present challenges, in 2006 Rufus and Laura moved to Oxnard California to be close to their youngest daughter Valerie and her immediate family. Rufus and Laura, determined to continue their lifelong commitment to Christ joined Jubilee Church in Camarillo, CA in the year of 2006. The two co-lead the senior citizen's ministry at Jubilee and volunteered at the Glenwood Manor Convalescent Home, until Laura's multiple strokes left her incapacitated, ultimately resulting in her departure from this earth.

Laura and Rufus were the model, epitomizing life in pursuit of service to God, family and each other. Though she is absent from this earthy body, she is present with our Lord! We rejoice knowing her labor was not in vain. We are thankful God shared such a precious jewel named Laura with us all.

Laura is survived by her husband Rufus Lee Nash, daughter Debbra Markham, husband Arthur; son Wayne Nash, wife Linda; daughter Valerie Price, husband Cleophus; grand-children Angela Baldwin, husband Julian; Celeste Markham; Demetrius Price, wife LaKimberly; Renee Edwards, husband Anthony; Nicholas Price, and Laura Price; one great-grandchild Anthony James Edwards, Laura's brother, Eddie McGee and a host of relatives and friends.