Nedra Laurelle Garrett Denman

Nedra Laurelle Garrett Denman, aged 86, of St. Vincent, Arkansas, passed away on March 31, 2022. She is survived by 4 children, 9 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in the death by her husband of nearly 60 years, Bill, and 2 grandchildren. Nedra was born on March 2, 1936, in North Georgia. She was the picture of a southern lady – poised, charming, charismatic, and a lover of all people. She always made everyone feel welcomed and important. She had a strength of character that was only exceeded by her grace. She was a joy to be around, always. She was a lady of many firsts – one of the first women to ever coach athletics in the state of Georgia; the first to begin a special education curriculum for adaptive physical education in the state of Georgia; and the first to coin the phrase “I love you, but” when she wanted to tell you something you needed to hear. She coached cheerleading, having both the first black cheerleader and the first male cheerleader in Georgia, as well as the first pom-pom squad in the state. Always an educator, she spent 42 years as a teacher in both Georgia and Missouri. Many of her students remained in touch with her until the day she passed, a testament to both her capability as an educator and her warmth as a human. By now, Nedra would have told me that she wanted me to stop writing this obituary. She was never one to “toot her own horn”. Her humility was one of her greatest traits. She was a woman of wide and varied accomplishment, and yet always humble and down-to-earth. After Bill’s passing, she moved to St. Vincent to live with her daughter and son-in-law. She loved the little town, and it loved her. One of her favorite things to do was sit on the front porch on a summer afternoon and watch the world go by… knowing that in St. Vincent, almost anything could happen. And rarely did the town disappoint. She wanted everyone in St. Vincent to know how much she loved the place, them, and how much she appreciated that they gave her a home. She is suffering no longer, and she is now with her husband and her family in heaven. This makes those she leaves behind the most happy. Her life will be celebrated with a rosary at St. Mary Church in St. Vincent, Arkansas on Monday, April 4 at 7 PM with visitation following. The funeral service will be at St. Mary Church as well on Tuesday, April 5, at 10 AM with Father Jim Burnie and Deacon Steve Mallett officiating. She will be buried next to her best friend, Bill, in St. Mary Cemetery. Funeral services are by Harris Funeral Home in Morrilton, AR. In keeping with Nedra’s spirit, please feel free to wear colors to her rosary and/or funeral. Nedra never was one for black and was always up for a good party, so we want everyone to feel free to celebrate her life. She would have wanted it that way. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Mary CYM, St. Mary Church. The money will be used to repair the basketball court for the kids. Always the competitor, this is what Nedra wanted.

Nedra Laurelle Garrett Denman

March 2, 1936 - March 31, 2022