The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Nelda Burns, 93, of Orange, passed away on November 2, 2022, at Golden Years in Orange.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday November 5, 2022, at Calvary Baptist Church in West Orange. Officiating will be Reverend David Millner and Reverend Mike Wood. Burial will follow at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Pine Island Cemetery in Simpson, Louisiana. Visitation will be from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Friday November 4, 2022, at Calvary Baptist Church in West Orange.

Born in Simpson, Louisiana, on March 8,1929, she was the daughter of John Bennett and Hattie (Temple) Bennett. Nelda was a beloved wife, mother, and nanny. She was a charter member of Calvary Baptist Church in West Orange. Nelda was a loving and selfless woman, being one of the most caring people you could meet. She was always making amazing food, spending many years providing meals, visiting shut-ins, and serving at her church. Nelda even made sure to make extra for anyone one who needed a hot meal. She cared for many children in her home over the years and was known to everyone as “Nanny”. Nelda loved children and they loved her back.

She was quite the sports fan and would travel miles to watch her grandsons play baseball. If you knew Nelda, you know she really loved the Mustangs and thought Cornel Thompson was the very best. Nelda will be deeply and greatly missed by all her loving family and friends.

Her family would like to extend a special thank you to Golden Years Assisted Living staff for the excellent care and love given to their mom. Also, to Kindred (Gentiva) Hospice Nurse Chris Jones and Chaplain John Wagner. Bro. Wagner always put a smile on Nelda’s face when he would sing during his visits.

She is preceded in death by her husband, James Ross Burns; parents, John A. and Hattie Bennett; siblings Alfie Richey, T.C. Bennett, Lizzie Roshong, A.J. Bennett, and A.C. Bennett.

Those left to cherish her memory include her daughters, Sherry Shugart and husband Mike, and Pam McDonald and husband Mike; grandchildren, Michael Shugart and wife Jill, Jonathan Shugart and wife Kandis, and Jason McDonald and wife Nikki; great grandchildren, Mikaela Gonzales and husband Hunter, Ty Shugart, Cami Shugart, Ava Shugart, Elliott James Ross Shugart, Mason Gatlin, Jace McDonald, and Dax McDonald; great great grandchildren, Brooks Gonzales and Hayes Gonzales. Serving as pallbearers will be Jason McDonald, Dax McDonald, Michael Shugart, Jonathan Shugart, Ty Shugart, Jace McDonald, Cami Shugart, Ava Shugart, and Mason Gatlin.