Neva Cruse Nash, 93, passed away August 20, 2026, at The Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo, MS. She was born on December 15,1932, in Pontotoc, MS to Fred & Prudell Owens Cruse. Neva was the 7th of 11 children. After graduating from Pontotoc High School, she moved to Memphis, TN, where she met the love of her life, Robert “Bob” Nash. After a short stint living in Las Vegas, Neva and Bob made their home in San Diego, CA. They lived throughout San Diego County for a total of 65 years. Even though she made her home in California, she always came back to visit her family in Mississippi. Through their union came their daughter Linda Nash DeJesus. They adored Linda. Linda was very sick as a child, so Neva dedicated her life to caring and raising her. An agreeable decision both her and Bob made together. Neva was dedicated in everything she did! She took pride in being a good mom, wife, and homemaker. Neva had a heart for helping others. She and Bob enjoyed volunteering their time to various organizations around San Diego. Some include volunteering at their local voting precincts, providing transportation to doctors’ appointments for children without rides, and the Senior Gleaners. Neva and Bob had a passion for traveling. Something they passed on to Linda. Neva had been to all fifty states, Canada, and Mexico. She loved the time they spent together in the RV on the open road. They even would convince Linda to tag along with them at times. Neva was extremely intelligent, an avid reader, and often found with a new book in hand. She enjoyed a good glass of wine, dabbling in the stock market, and following politics. She was passionate about what she believed, very independent, was very personal, and proud, and didn’t mind speaking her piece.
She knew the Lord and thoroughly enjoyed his beautiful creation! His landscapes, waters, and people. She enjoyed people. Different people, cultures, and appreciated how our differences made us better! “It’s okay to be different and not like everyone else”, she would say. She was a Methodist.
In 2020, Neva and Linda moved back to Pontotoc to be closer to family. They found a beautiful house in Magnolia Place developed by her nephew Randy. Here she would meet some dear neighbors and friends.
She will be remembered as beautiful soul who cared deeply, an encourager to explore, and an impeccable storyteller filled with unlimited family knowledge. She will be greatly missed, but she will live on in our memories and hearts.
Survivors include her sister-in-law, Alice Cruse and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert “Bob” Nash, her parents, Fred and Prudell Cruse, her siblings, Buddy Cruse, Fuzzy Cruse, Boyd Cruse, James Cruse, Opal Cruse McCoy, Marie Cruse Huey, Helen Cruse, Freddie Cruse Walker, and Carolyn Cruse Thomas, and her daughter, Linda Nash DeJesus.
Funeral Services will be held at 12PM on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at Baldwin Memorial Funeral Home in Pontotoc with visitation beginning at 11AM. Burial will follow in Cruse Cemetery.
