Nelda Sue Crawford passed away on October 6, 2024, in Lampasas, Texas surrounded by family and loved ones. She was born on February 22, 1943, in San Antonio, Texas to Nell Gertrude Harris-Wilson and William J. Bryan Stone.
Graveside services will be held at May Cemetery in May, TX on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at 10 am.
Nelda graduated from high school in May, Texas in 1961. She then attended the University of North Texas (formerly NTSU) in Denton, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in 1966 and master’s degree in 1970. She was a member of Kappa Delta Pi honor society. Nelda also completed numerous graduate courses at Texas A&M University in pursuit of a PhD in Education.
Nelda married Bill Fortune in 1966 and together they had two children, Chris and Jill. The family resided in Bryan, Texas.
Nelda had over 40 years of service in public school education serving as a teacher in several states. She was a teacher then Curriculum Specialist with Bryan Texas ISD for 18 years. Nelda later served as Assistant Superintendent of Early, Texas ISD, before retiring as Assistant Superintendent of Lampasas, Texas ISD in 2010.
Nelda married CM Crawford in 2009. The couple resided in Lampasas. Nelda and CM enjoyed domestic and international travel during their retirement. The couple also took several cruises and cross county trips by train. Nelda was a collector of antique furniture and collectibles. She loved cooking and baking for her family, hiking on her land and spending time with her grandchildren.
Nelda was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Cynthia Ann Reynolds; paternal half-brother, William Hollis Stone; stepfather, Ray Lancaster; stepbrothers, Gary Don Lancaster and Ronnie Lancaster and Nelda’s first husband.
Survivors include her husband, CM of Lampasas; her children, Chris Fortune of Spring, Texas and Jill Shaw of Brownwood; her grandchildren, Lyric Shaw, Karter Shaw, Lainee Butts, Christopher Fortune, Jr. and Madeline Fortune; her nephew, Colby Reynolds of Stephenville; her niece, Leigh Ann Reynolds along with several other nieces and nephews from Texas.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to the American Cancer Society.
Nelda will fondly be remembered in our thoughts and prayers.