Funeral services for Mildred Loraine Martin Nelms, 85, of Hornbeck, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 13, 2024, in the Labby Memorial Funeral Home of Leesville with Bro. Wayne Chance officiating. Burial will follow in the Florien Cemetery in Florien.
Visitation will be Saturday, January 13, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home.
Loraine was born on March 9, 1938, to her parents, Loyd Martin and Evie Glaspie Martin. She passed away on Wednesday, January 10, 2024, in Leesville.
Loraine is preceded in death by her parents, husband Glyn Nelms, daughter Karen Lynne Nelms, and sisters, Mary Kathleen “Tospy” Tilley and Cheat Martin.
Left to cherish her memory are her children: Sherrie Nelms Hodge (James “Hootie”) of Leesville and Elwin Nelms Ellis (Lance) of Hornbeck; grandchildren: James Brandon Hodge (Ellen), Kellen Glyn Hodge (Haley), Audrey Nicole Ellis, Leslie Renee Ebey (Johnathan), Megan Rose Bowers (Kolton); and great-grandchildren: Kandon Hodge, Sydney Hodge, Easton Hodge, Hudson Hodge, and Blayke Hodge.
Loraine grew up on the borders of Sabine and Vernon Parishes, living where her father worked logging at the different mills. She graduated from Hornbeck and married Glyn upon his return from Korea in 1957. When he proposed, she gave him the ring back but then went and got it from him again! They were married over 51 years. Loraine was a homemaker and raised 3 daughters. Though she had a simple life, it was filled with love, laughter, and joy.
For many years she served on the Hornbeck First Church Vacation Bible school refreshment team and later on the Bereavement Committee, sharing her love for others. A tradition that Loraine faithfully kept each Christmas, before opening gifts, was to have a grandchild or great-grandchild rotate the special task of reading the Christmas story from her Bible. This tradition is now taken up by her children and grandchildren in their own families.
She was always kind and willing to lend a helping hand, always encouraging us to do our best and to never stop trying. She never doubted for a second that we would all do well. She was a hard-core LSU Tigers and Saints fan but wasn’t afraid to turn off the TV when the Tigers just weren’t cutting it and then back on to see if they were winning yet. She loved flowers, loved to read, perusing flea markets and antique shops with her daughters, doing word-find puzzles, being outdoors, and talking to her friends. She made the best handmade dumplings ever. She enjoyed sitting on the back porch watching hummingbirds, condemning the squirrels, and fussing about the armadillos getting under the house. She attended hundreds of basketball, t-ball, and softball games by her grandchildren. Anytime you were around her, she would have some sort of story to tell you. Whether it was about an old memory or some phone call she got, she always captured your attention and would find a way to make you laugh. She was goofy, quick-witted, always scheming something silly. She would say things like “Always good to have PawPaw and MawMaw close by school,” and “What happens at MawMaw’s house stays at MawMaw’s house”. She loved deeply and always made you feel special in her presence. Though she never wanted to be fussed over, she was the light for everyone in the room.
The family wishes to thank Leslie Harmon, Loraine’s friend and neighbor, and her caregiver Patricia Harlow. The love, care and concern given to our mother is very much appreciated.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Brandon Hodge, Kellen Hodge, Stuart Martin, Stephen Martin, Tommy Tilley, and Bruce Nelms. Honorary pallbearers will be Kandon Hodge, Easton Hodge, Hudson Hodge.