Marion Platt Cromwell Nesom

Marion Platt Cromwell Nesom, 91, passed away peacefully at Colonial Oaks Braeswood in Houston, Texas, on August 2. Born in 1922 in Logansport, Louisiana, she lived most of her life in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Marion is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Guy Lane and Julia Wells Nesom of Fort Worth; her granddaughter, Genevieve Nesom of Philadelphia; her daughter, Gayle Nesom of Houston; her nieces, nephews, and their families from the Hammond, Louisiana, area; two first cousins from East Texas; and numerous close friends, including “honorary family member,” Terry R. Brown of Colfax. She was preceded in death by her husband, Guy W. Nesom; her parents, James R. and Marion Platt Cromwell; her sister, Frances Sue Cromwell; and her brother, James R. Cromwell, Jr. Marion graduated from Logansport High School and Louisiana Normal College, now Northwestern State University (NSU), in Natchitoches and earned her master’s degree from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. She began her long teaching career at Bolton High School in Alexandria, Louisiana, and was a member of the NSU English Department for more than 30 years, teaching composition, advanced grammar, and Greek and Roman mythology to thousands of students. Because of her interest in mythology, for several years she led college students on travel-study tours of Europe. During that time, Marion became an ardent enthusiast of Greece and Egypt and their cultures and people, and with her close friend and fellow tour guide, Marjorie Shepherd, visited those countries numerous times, as well as many others. Her passion for international cultures was instrumental in NSU’s request that she establish its American Language and Orientation Center in 1980, which she then directed for several years. Marion was a long-time member of the First United Methodist Church in Natchitoches, where she often taught Bible history in Sunday school and sometimes played the organ for evening services and weddings. A musician at heart, she was an accomplished pianist in her youth and in later years enjoyed performing with the NSU Harp Ensemble. She was active in P.E.O. and D.A.R. and was a life-long member, college sponsor, and Golden Violet of her college sorority, Sigma Sigma Sigma. For several years, she volunteered as a docent for the historic Kate Chopin House in Cloutierville, Louisiana. She served for many years on the NSU Wesley Foundation Board of Directors and Board of Trustees, and for several years opened her home to college students for Sunday night gatherings after church services. Visitation will be at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home in Natchitoches on Sunday, August 4, from 12 noon to 3 PM. Graveside services for family and friends will follow. Messages and remembrances can be left at www.blanchardstdenisfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in memory of Marion Nesom to the NSU Foundation, 535 University Parkway, Natchitoches, Louisiana 71497, or the charity of your choice.