Nelda Sue Smallwood Stidger passed away Saturday, February 8th 2025 at her home in Lacey’s Spring. Nelda Sue was born on January 21, 1945. She was the only daughter and youngest child of Luke and Lillie Mae Smallwood.
Lillie Mae and Luke were strong, devout Christians and they raised their children in the Methodist Church. Growing up there was a path through the woods that would be taken from their home to Red Oak and they walked it every time the church doors opened. This “little white church” has always been a special place for Sue. In 1959 Luke passed away and was buried here. After his death Lillie Mae and Sue moved from their home in the Ryan Community to Cotaco. Sue began attending services at Cotaco Methodist the “little white church on the creek” where she was an active participant in youth group activities. During this time Sue attended School at Cotaco and enjoyed English classes and home economics. Mr. Stidger was a new faculty member who handled her homeroom roll call each morning. The process only lasted a few minutes and he was capable of calling roll. Seeing him was a routine part of her day.
Sue graduated from Cotaco High School on a Sunday afternoon in June of 1963 and on the following Wednesday she began work at Marshall Space Flight Center in the documents department. Upon starting work she decided that her first name, Nelda, was more professional and from then on there was a distinction in how she was addressed
Occupation: Executive Secretary at Marshall Space Flight Center from 1963 to 1981. Caterer from 1984 to 2011. Mom from July 25th 1981 to February 8th 2025.
Survivors: Daughter Kari Allisa Stidger of Lacey’s Spring AL; Nieces, Julie Smallwood Figurski of Lampasas TX, Karen Blackmon of Jerome Idaho, and Cheryl Ann Bryson of California; Nephew Jeffrey Smallwood; Great Nieces; Amy Figurski of College Station TX, Anna Figurski of Lampasas TX and Emily Ruth Jackson (Cameron) of Fowlerville, MI; Great Nephews: Alan Figurski (Falon) of Lampasas, TX, Aric Figurski (Annie) of Brady TX and Jesse Luke Smallwood of Fowlerville MI; Great-Great Nieces, Maeve and Zane Figurski of Lampasas TX, Lucy Figurski of Brady TX and Marley Mae Jackson of Fowlerville MI; Great-Great Nephews, Boone and “Brian” Figurski of Brady TX and Aiden and Ronan Jackson of Fowlerville Michigan.
Preceded in death by Parents, Luke and Lillie Mae Smallwood; Brothers JV and JL “Cotton” Smallwood; Nephew, Bruce Smallwood and Husband, Everett D. Stidger.
Services for Nelda will be Friday, February 14, 2025 at Red Oak Grove Methodist Church in the Cotaco community of Lacey’s Spring, AL. Family, friends and guests will gather at 1:00pm for a visitation with the funeral service at 2:00pm. Brother Jarod Andrews will officiate. Burial will be in the adjoining cemetery. Serving as pallbearers are Alan Figurski, Aric Figurski, Glen Black, Will Black, Brian Simmons and Jonathan Hardage. Honorary pallbearers: Kenneth Roberts and Stanley Roberts. Entrusted with arrangement is Arab Heritage Memorial Chapel.
In Lieu of flowers charitable donations can be made to the North Alabama Food Pantry, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or the Parkinson’s Foundation.
