- Date Of Birth: March 7, 1928
- Date Of Death: May 18, 2020
- State: Florida
Nelda R. Sessions Scruggs Landen, age 92, died on Monday, May 18, 2020. Ms. Landen was born in Monroe County, Alabama on March 7, 1928. She attended schools in the county and graduated from Excel High School in 1946 as valedictorian of her class. In 1948, she married James Carl Scruggs, Jr., the love of her life.
She and “Junior” lived in Monroeville where Nelda took a job in the office of the Vanity Fair Mill. In 1950, their first child, Belinda, was born and Nelda became a stay at home mom. In 1955, their second child, Steve, was born. Nelda enjoyed her duties at home, taking care of her children, cooking, cleaning, and always doing nice things for neighbors and friends. Nelda’s parents lived nearby and she thoroughly enjoyed visiting with and helping them. In 1958, the family moved to Selma, Alabama where Nelda continued her at-home duties and became involved in the small church near their home. Later, in Selma, she pursued a dream of being a nurses’ aid (now known as CNA) and worked on Labor and Delivery at Vaugh Memorial Hospital. The next move for the family was in 1965 to Ponce de Leon, Florida where Nelda and “Junior” managed a small grocery store.
Eventually they became proud business owners of Carl’s Superette where Nelda thrived as a cashier, bagger, inventory taker and anything else that needed to be done in the grocery store. Six short years later, Nelda became the sole owner of the store, eventually selling it and moving to Monticello, Florida with her second husband, Mike Landen, who was a minister of a small country church. Shortly thereafter, Mike died and Nelda, as the lay leader, was asked to fill the pulpit for the six months remaining in the church year. That six months evolved into 16 years of Nelda serving the community of Sardis in Monticello. Those years were some of the best for Nelda as she was doing God’s work, living in the country, gardening, visiting the sick and shut-ins. She also helped raise her grandchildren during this time. In 2005, Nelda moved to Tallahassee to be near her daughter and family. She eventually moved in with Belinda and her husband, Jon.
During her earlier times here, she enjoyed outings with her family, time at Alzheimer’s Project Tallahassee, and many days with friends at Elder Day Stay. She would tell everyone about the Joy of Jesus and ask for hugs often. As her dementia progressed and things became very difficult, Nelda moved to Seven Hills Nursing Home where she received excellent care. She often entertained the staff, residents, and visitors with singing hymns, quoting scripture and telling people about the love of Jesus! Nelda’s earthy journey ended on Monday, May 18, 2020. The family (daughter, Belinda; son-in-law, Jon; grandchildren, James and Josh Scruggs, Derek and Carla McClellan; great-grandchildren, nephews, cousins) have no doubts that she was welcomed home with angels singing and hearing these great words, “Welcome home, my good and faithful servant.”
