Nelda Faye Vann

Nelda Faye Vann went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, February 2, 2025, surrounded by her family.  She was born on November 7, 1932, in Lampasas, Texas to Guy Willis and Clara Black Reding.

A service to celebrate Nelda's life will be held at First Street Church of Christ, 201 W. First St, Lampasas, TX, on Saturday, February 15, at 1 p.m. A visitation will be held at First Street Church of Christ at 10 a.m., with a luncheon at 11 a.m., and all are invited to attend. Burial will follow at Naruna Cemetery.

Nelda grew up in Lampasas, TX, graduated from Lampasas High School, and attended Business School in Austin.  She married John Martin Vann on March 20, 1954, and lived in Austin for seven years.  They moved to San Saba, where Martin was the Barnes Keith Ranch foreman for 32 years.  When the last of her three daughters started first grade, she began driving the school bus and worked as a Head Start teacher and later worked in the Head Start District Office.  After retiring from their jobs in San Saba, Martin and Nelda moved to the Vann Ranch in Lampasas.  Nelda kept children at the Lampasas Badger Center for several years.

Nelda loved children of all ranges and was an expert at calming babies.  She fell in love with the children she taught and babysat, often keeping them after hours.  Many affectionately called her Grana like her own grandchildren.  Nelda was a seamstress for her own family, making all the clothes that she and her daughters wore for years.  She also made clothes for friends, knitted sweaters, and crocheted various things.  She served as a devoted 4-h cooking and sewing leader.  Another of her joys was cooking and baking delicious meals and desserts.  When entertaining, she was not intimidated by large crowds or last-minute meal preparations and was known for her homemade rolls, chocolate cake, and pies.  She enjoyed decorating and entertaining for holidays, especially for Christmas and Easter.  She was a hostess to an Easter gathering at her home for family and friends with an average of 50 people attending for over 60 years.

Nelda was known for her fun-loving spirit and was a second mom to many of her daughter's friends and continued to stay connected with them through the years.  Everyone was welcome at her house and around her table.  One of Nelda's greatest enjoyments was being on the Colorado River at the Vann Ranch with family and friends.  Fish was fried and she brought the homemade ice cream.  Nelda's greatest delight was her family, but everyone she knew was like family to her.  Hugs were her specialty as was making you feel special and loved.  She had an amazing amount of energy and enjoyed being on the go-whether traveling, driving around on county roads, shopping, or playing games.

She attended the Church of Christ and was presently a member of the Lampasas Bible Church.  She grew in her spiritual walk with the Lord as the years passed and was often found reading her Bible, doing Bible studies, and Devotionals.  She even went on a mission trip to Mexico and was truly on a mission every day for the Lord.  She loved others deeply and shared her love with everyone.  She had a servant's heart and worked behind the scenes helping others.  Even during her last days, she was loving on her caretakers at the nursing home and other residents.

She is survived by her three daughters, Suzette and Harley Stone and Nanette and Olan Tisdale both of Fredericksburg and Janette and Victor Stotts of Lampasas; seven grandchildren, Victoria Stone Meier and husband Dustin, John Stone and wife Maddison, Ericka Tisdale McBrine and husband Bill, Ross Tisdale, Rhett Tisdale and wife Jessica, Johnna Stotts Davis and husband Logan, Vanna Stotts Gold and husband Edward; 12 great-grandchildren, Berklie Meier, Theodore Stone, Jack, Fletcher, Hannah and Joshua McBrine, Abigail, Jonathan and Eli (on the way) Tisdale, Jed and Palmer Davis, Raleigh Rose and Thatcher Gold and many nieces and nephews which she adored.

Nelda was preceded in death by her parents, Guy and Clara Reding, her husband, Martin Vann, her brother, Guy Reding, and sister, Dorothy Collins.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Naruna Cemetery P.O. Box 222, Lampasas, TX, 76550, the Lampasas Bible Church P.O. Box 1591, Lampasas, TX, 76550, or the charity of your choice.

If you are able to attend, we encourage you to wear happy colors and we would love for everyone who can come to attend the luncheon from 11 am to 12:30 pm.  You can arrive at any time after 11 am.