Nelda Sue Lawrence

Nelda Sue (Farris) Lawrence passed away peacefully at home in Gilbert, Arizona on August 28, 2023. She was 87.
She was preceded in death by her parents: Henry Everett and Alamay Farris, and five brothers: Henry Everett Jr., Walter Van, Joseph Fielding, Dennis Kirby, and William Douglas.

She is survived by two daughters: Susan (Clay) Caldwell and Diane (Mark) Landers, 4 grandchildren: LeAnn (Trey) Johnson, Ross (Katherine) Macdonald, Scott (Pamela) Macdonald, and Jill (Ryan) Hill, as well as 9 great grandchildren: Conner Johnson, Elliott Macdonald, Findlay Macdonald, Ainsley Johnson, Lilly-Jade Macdonald, Clifford Hill, Everett Macdonald, Betty Hill, and Corinne Macdonald.

In her later years (after Susan married Clay), she had a big enough heart to welcome five more grandchildren: Jaime Caldwell, Spencer (Alisa) Caldwell, Elliot Caldwell, Dan Caldwell, and Chase (Emily) Caldwell, as well as eight more great grandchildren: Ethan Caldwell, Ellee Caldwell, Cohen Caldwell, Jack Shelton, Weston Caldwell, Liv Caldwell, Dixie Shelton, and Wyatt Caldwell.

She was born in El Paso on June 11, 1936, to Henry Everett and Alamay Farris. She was the fourth child of six and the only daughter. She graduated from El Paso high school in 1954 and soon was married to Richard Done from Tucson, Arizona. He was in the army stationed at Ft Bliss during the Korean War. They met at a church dance. They lived in Tucson, Arizona following his discharge. They had two daughters: Susan and Diane.

They later divorced and she moved back to El Paso to go to business school. She worked as an office manager for Metropolitan Life Insurance then went to work in civil service. She worked at White Sands Missile Range, US Customs and finally at Ft. Bliss, arranging training for Patriot missiles where she retired in 1999.

After retirement, she moved to Gilbert in 2000. She “temporarily” moved in with Susan and stayed for 23 years.

She served in many positions in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including teacher in both Primary and Relief Society, Relief Society presidency, Family History consultant, temple ordinance worker, as well as a dedicated ministering (visiting) teacher.

Services will be held on Thursday, September 7 at the LDS meetinghouse at 1150 W Elliot Rd, Gilbert. A viewing will be held at 9am followed by the funeral at 10am. It will be immediately followed by a graveside burial ceremony at San Tan Memorial Gardens at 22425 E Cloud Rd, Queen Creek. Flowers and condolences can be sent to Bunker Family Funeral Home at Gilbert Memorial Park, 2100 E Queen Creek Rd, Gilbert AZ 85297.