Nelda Sue Kent was born on June 23, 1934, in Grandfield Oklahoma, to Roy & Fleta Kent.
One of seven siblings, she is survived by one sister, Janice Burch of Tempe Arizona. Preceded in death by her parents, and husband, Jack Young, son, Stanley Young, and siblings, Arlene Spinks, Blanche Neal, Roy Kent Jr., Larry Kent, and Judie Kent.
Also survived by her best friend and fellow church member, Ray Robinette of Greenville TX. Ray has been a constant companion and consistent helpmate to her for the past 6 years. He remained by Nelda’s side until she drew her last breath on this earth at 6:11 PM on 6/11/2021.
In her youth, Nelda attended Hollister schools and graduated from Frederick High School. At age 16, Nelda married Jack Young, of Snyder Oklahoma. The couple was happily married for 56 years and resided in Frederick, OK until 1985. They moved to Caddo Mills Texas where she continued her giving nature by working in the church and her local community. In a loving Christian home, Jack & Nelda raised four children, Jenny, Stanley, Ronnie, and DeeDee.
A devoted, delightful, loving wife and mother, she made every holiday simply magical for her family. Thanksgiving and Christmas hold exceptionally special memories due to her giving nature, tasty cooking, abundant laughter, diligent motivation to capture memories by photo and video, and her deep family devotion. Another example of her ‘above and beyond nature’ – Nelda actually mailed personal handwritten cards for every birthday and holiday to every family member of reading age, even St. Patrick’s & Independence Day!
A devout Christian and follower of the Lord, she was an incredibly active member of the Frederick Church of the Nazarene for more than 60 years. She served her church community in many areas; Church Board Member, Song Leader, Sunday School Teacher, Missionary President, Weekly Sunday School Calls, and virtually every committee imaginable, to include resident taxi driver for anyone who would get in her car when she honked the horn for pick-up on Sunday mornings.
After 25 years of committing her life to caring for the elderly, Nelda retired in 2012 from Colonial Retirement Lodge in Greenville TX where she served as Business & Operations Director for multiple Assisted Living Communities and Alzheimer’s facilities.
Nelda was naturally gifted with a genuine servant’s heart. From a young age, she was a selfless giver of her time, talents, and abundant love to others. All her life, she cherished and tended to everyone from infants to the elderly. Always wearing a bright smile and sharing encouraging words; there isn’t a person she has encountered who doesn’t have kind and loving words to share. Having touched countless lives as a Christian witness, she was a constant beacon of light to everyone who knew her.
It takes an incredibly special type of person to be deeply good at a heart level, their entire life. This is one instance of such a person. Right now…Nelda certainly stands proudly in the Winner’s Circle, receiving her Crown of Gold and undoubtedly, sitting at the feet of Jesus. There were surly a vast number of souls eagerly awaiting her arrival, she has been looking forward to going to heaven her entire life and was never the least bit shy to let it show.
Surviving Family:
Children/Spouses: Jenny & Ricky Simmons, Ronnie & Kathryn Young, DeeDee & Eric Koch
Grandchildren/Spouses: Dean Balentine & wife Christy, Bruce Balentine & wife Tamela, BJ Balentine, Shasta Waltner & husband Cole, Candi Kiroac & husband Todd, Carly Osbourne & husband Kyle, Rusty Williamson & wife Mindy, Kelsie Solimine & husband Chris, Brandi & Jeremy Simmons
Great Grandchildren/Spouses: Jessie Nichols & husband Jake. Cassidy Balentine & wife Cejae. Tyler, Luke, & Bo Balentine. Taitum Aland & husband Jaden. Tanner Balentine & wife Roxie. Adalyn, Hadleigh, Ayden, Charlestyn, and Brekyn Collins. Aubree Balentine. Christen & Cody Townsend. Talon & Trey Balentine. Rumer, Saber, & Lil’ Ricky Simmons. Kimber, Zoe, & Delaney Waltner. Riker Kiroac. Arynn Bolden & Karsyn Osborne. Riley & Korbin Williamson, Brianna Stedham, & Tony Solimine.
Great-Great Grandchildren: Kinsler, Kohen, Kortlyn, Kreek, Holden, Kris & Kruz Balentine. Rozlyn & Kyson Nichols
In Lieu of flowers – guests may make donations in Nelda Young’s name to Cornerstone Nazarene Church of Greenville
