Nelda Jourdan McRae, 88, died peacefully in her sleep Wednesday, June 28, 2023 at Tishomingo Community Living Center. She was born January 31, 1935, the daughter of John Wesley and Jeanettie Dobbs Jourdan and was the youngest of eight children. She finished school at Holcut and married Alvis W. McRae in 1953. After having three children, she went back to school to get her teaching credentials at UNA and taught in Albuquerque, New Mexico, at Iuka and for many years at Tishomingo School as an elementary teacher and then as a gifted teacher. She earned her Master’s in teaching from the University of Mississippi. In the course of her teaching, she mastered many specialty subjects: she shared her love for painting, rocks and gems, ceramics, seashells and many other varied subjects with her students, friends, and family. Any of the hundreds of students she taught through the years always had a great story to tell of how they were inspired by her. She retired in 1992 to spend more time with her recently retired husband, and new baby grandson, Alan. After retiring, she stayed busy with her beloved Tishomingo Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School for many years, and led the establishment of a women’s ministry. She was an accomplished, self-taught Bible scholar, read hundreds of commentaries and bible studies, and listened to endless hours of experts like David Jeremiah and Beth Moore.
A celebration of life will be Saturday, July 1 at 11 a.m. at Tishomingo Baptist Church officiated by Dr. Joseph Fowler and Dr. Rusty Fair. Visitation will be Friday, June 30, 5-8 p.m. at the church. Burial will be in Highland Cemetery, Dennis, MS. Deaton Funeral Home, Belmont, MS will be in charge of arrangements.
She is survived by her daughter – Marcia Black; son – Kirby McRae and wife, Pamela; grandchildren – Alan Black and wife, Melissa, Mary McRae Fowler and husband, Joseph, Annsley McRae Aguemon and husband, Chris, John Connor McRae and Emma McRae; great-grandchildren – Owen Wallace Black, Isaac Jourdan Fowler and Elizabeth Jo Fowler; a sister – Hazel Gene Spear; a brother – Hubert Jourdan and a host of nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband of more than 50 years, Alvis; her youngest daughter, Lisa Renee McRae Parker and son-in-law, Charles Black; brothers – Waco, Almous, Parmer Lee and Waylon Jourdan and sister Colene Thomas.
Pallbearers will be Connor McRae, Alan Black, Chris Aguemon, Mark Mathis, Ken Jourdan, Doyle Jourdan, Larry Jourdan, Wendell Jourdan, Danny Mohundro and Johnny Mohundro.
Memorial contributions may be made to Tishomingo Baptist Church, P.O. Box 89, Tishomingo, MS 38873.
