Leta Mae Nelson Spillman

A service to celebrate the life of Mrs. Leta Mae Nelson Spillman will be held at 11 am on Saturday, June 24, 2023 at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home with Bro. Max Rasbury officiating.  Burial will follow at St. Ann’s Cemetery on Old River Road.  The family will receive friends on Friday, June 23^rd from 5 pm until 8 pm at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home.

Leta, a few days shy of her 85^th birthday, passed away on June 21, 2023 with her loving family by her side.  She was born in Castor, LA to Rev. James Russell Nelson, Sr. and Ethel Lee Nelson.  She was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings, John Nelson, Cliff Nelson, J.R. Nelson, Jr., Cotton Nelson, Don Nelson, Irene Snead, Lavon Giddings, Euna Lee Collier, Louene Pullig and Naomi Nelson.

Left to cherish her memory includes her husband of 65 years, Eugene Spillman; children, Cynthia Pratt (Tommy), Sharon Melder, Daryl Spillman (Karen), Karen Miller (Keith), and Lori LaCaze (Bill); 9 grandchildren, Matthew Melder, Lindsey Spillman, Kayla Spillman, Taylor Pratt, Regan Pratt, Nicholas Miller, Olivia Miller, Ryan LaCaze, and Malorie LaCaze; her daily companion, Duke; brother-in-law, Wayne Spillman (Lila) and sisters-in-law, Verline Parker, Carol Nelson, and Glenda Nelson; as well as a host of nieces and nephews.

Leta was a skilled seamstress and a great cook especially being known for her famous “Leta Burgers”.  She was a homemaker for her family and took great pride in raising her family.  She possessed a heart of gold that was demonstrated by being a care-giver and dear friend to her mother-in-law, Frovelia Spillman and for over 20 years she opened her home to care for children, all of whom she loved like they were her own.  Leta would always go the extra mile to help anyone in need.  She donated her time to the Natchitoches Lion’s Club and particularly to the Lion’s Camp, for which she received awards for her dedication.  She will be dearly missed but we take comfort in knowing we will be re-united with her in heaven one day.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Leta’s name may be made to the Louisiana Lion’s Camp by visiting lalions@lionscamp.org or to the Natchitoches Regional Medical Center Foundation by visiting nrmcfoundation.org/donate

Those honored to serve as pallbearers include Michael Nelson, Daryl Spillman, Matthew Melder, Ryan LaCaze, Taylor Pratt, and Keith Miller.  Honorary pallbearers will be Tommy Pratt, Nicholas Miller, Bill LaCaze, and Wayne Spillman.

The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to Dr. Michelle Mayeux, Dr. Chris Ingram, the staff at Natchitoches Regional Medical Center, Elara Home Health and Hospice of Natchitoches for the care and compassion shown to Mrs. Leta and to our family during such a difficult time.