Nelda Jean Irby

Nelda Jean (Sis) Irby passed away at 80 years old on June 1, 2011, at her granddaughter’s home in Walker, Louisiana. A recent breast cancer survivor, Nelda remained in her home until a couple of months ago when pronounced with pancreatic, lung and liver cancer on February 25th. Chelsa and Charlie and their precious children opened their home to MaMa and provided excellent care with the assistance of Life Source Services. Friends and family gatherings became a way of life because of her bravery and prognosis. Born in Philadelphia, MS in 1930, Nelda is preceeded in death by her former husband, Joe Irby; parents, Boyd and Lou Don Gamblin; niece, Mona Gamblin; cousin, Iris Wilson and a special son-in-law, C.B. Smith. She is survived by her three loving children and their families, Joey Irby and Tracy Erickson, Slidell, LA; Don and Linda Irby, Alexandria. LA; and Carole Irby-Smith, Denham Springs, LA.; two grandchildren, Justin Irby, and his mother, Gina Nestle-Irby of New Orleans, LA; Chelsa (Charlie) Langlois of Walker, LA; six great-grandchildren, London Bailey, Charley Anne, Chase, Lacey, Zachary, and Luke. In addition she leaves her brothers, Benton (Mae) Gamblin, and Glenn Gamblin, and sister, Judy (Marshall) Inabinette, all of Vancleave, and a sister, Frances (Grover) Allen of Hurley; niece, Gina (Don) Gamblin, Vancleave, nephews, Chip (Molly) Gamblin, La Grange, GA, Ray (Cathy) Inabinette, Victorville, CA, Boyd (Kelly) Inabinette, Wasilla, Alaska and Ricky (Wanda) Allen, and Douglas Allen of Hurley. Uncle Charles Chisolm of Meridian, MS brought her much joy over the years. She enjoyed talking to her friends and family on a daily basis. She also leaves to cherish her memories many, many friends in Louisiana and Mississippi. This is just some of her friends in the latter part of life. The Zachary family will always be remembered for their kindness and friendship they provided over the years, Ms. Gloria, Pete, Kenny and Tammy, and Ida and Carl, Mike, Blaine and Dominick Petsch all of Denham Springs, Linda (Ron) Wetteman of Lake Charles, special friends Donald and Marilyn and Marsha of LaPlace, LA. Friends from Vancleave for many years were Dot Hawley, Margie Delancey, Clyte Calton , Bea Flemming, Elva Mae Ware, and Merle and Winnie Dee, the Myers family, the Jones-Flurry Family and Candy King(Jones) of Houston, Texas. Special friends and relatives in Philadelphia and Meridian, MS, included the Stuart family, the extended Creel-Irby family and Bobby and Lois and Karen Irby in Washington, D.C. The love of Sis’s life was sewing which enabled her to become an excellent seamstress. She loved everybody that she met and made so many friends over the years. She relocated to Louisiana from Mississippi in 1967. She especially enjoyed her times with the Brennan family in New Orleans when her husband managed Brennan’s and Commander’s Palace restaurants for many years. She was a fabulous creative cook herself. Her love for animals was unsurpassed also. She loved to shop and find unique items for her creative style. Her love of life and sense of humor inspired so many people along the way. Sis was such a caring, loyal, individual who sought out people who needed help. She had such a giving spirit and was blessed with the gift of Charity. She was in the process of writing a book about her life before she became ill. Traveling became a favorite past time while enjoying the wilds of Alaska during eight vacations over the years. A special thanks to Life Source Services and their dedicated staff and to her oncologist, Dr. Brooks. These caring and understanding individuals made each day more bearable. A special thank you to Elder Wake Inabinette for visiting Nelda in her home to become reacquainted. After an absence of many years, he stated she was “still the sweet person he remembered.” Also thanks to Healing Place Church Meals (Sharon Wheat). Upon her request, Wake will perform her service on Saturday, June 4, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at the Vancleave Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, Jim Ramsey Road. Friends may visit from 1:00 p.m. until service time. Her burial will follow in Vancleave #1 Cemetery.