Nelda Faye Gaines-Belcher's Obituary
Nelda passed from her earthly life into the presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, January 25, 2024. She was surrounded by her family as she was ushered into Heaven, where she was reunited with so many of her loved ones.
Nelda was born Nelda Faye Holland on October 6, 1934, to parents Ada and Harley L. Holland in Chandler, Texas. She was the oldest of three children with brother Harley Jr., and sister LaVonne. They spent their early years in East Texas before moving to Dallas around her junior high years. Nelda met and fell in love with her first husband, James Dwight Gaines while working at Republic Bank in Dallas. After marrying Dwight, the two welcomed daughter Rhonda and son David.
Nelda lost her first husband (Dwight) in 1982 after 25 blissful years of marriage and entered back into the workforce in the payroll department at Southern Methodist University. Her time at SMU was rewarding as she embraced the full SMU Mustang experience, attending all the football games and other sporting activities. She also rekindled a passion for dancing and regularly joined friends at dances, singles social activities, and church activities. Somewhere around this time, she met Marcus Belcher, who would later become her second husband, who shared the same grief after the loss of his wife. The two built a blessed life that involved a great deal of travel in their motor homes that they enjoyed so much. As part of a travel club, they were able to see many places and take part in numerous fun activities which included board games. Nelda’s passion for games continued throughout the rest of her life and hours were spent with grandchildren and friends playing games as well as her hours spent playing solitaire.
She enjoyed being involved with her children’s school life, bowling, volleyball, softball, crocheting, and church activities. In addition, she inherited the joy of gardening from her parents and thrived in the outdoors. She was an avid traveler and camper who enjoyed trips all over the US including Alaska, Mexico, and the
Virgin Islands. Her favorite destination was always the mountains of Colorado and was even known to claim a mountain as her own, as you would often hear her refer to “her mountain,” which was the Grand Mesa in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. So many fond memories were made on those annual family vacations to Colorado which brought her so much joy in life.
Nelda will be remembered as a selfless wife, mother, granny, and friend who always put her family first, even sometimes sacrificed her own needs for the good of those she loved.
Family was the most important thing in the world to Nelda. She first was the very best mother possible. While her children were growing up, their house was always full of love and laughter. Many of their friends chose to gather at their home because of Nelda’s warm and welcoming spirit. She encouraged her children to be the very best they could be and always dream big.
Nelda became the most loving and doting granny and great granny. She was sure to always show up in support for all her grandchildren’s different sporting events, dance recitals, and drill team performances. She always kept snacks and candy on hand to ensure every child had something perfect for them to snack on. She also loved watching her grandchildren swim in her backyard pool for hours on end, no matter how hot it was. Most importantly, as Granny, Nelda truly showed and expressed how very special and loved each of grandchildren and great grandchildren were. They never left her presence without feeling her overwhelming love.
She was fun, playful, and championed the underdog. She was an encourager, a cheerleader for those she loved, and a prayer warrior for anyone in need. Nelda taught her family to trust in the Lord, to defy the odds even when things seemed impossible, and planted the seed of Faith in all their lives. She will be missed by so many but is reunited with so many loved ones who went before her.
Nelda is survived by daughter Rhonda Henson of Rowlett, son David (Dave) Gaines of Rowlett, stepson and daughter Marcus and Candice Belcher of The Colony, stepdaughter Sandy Bramlett of North Richland Hills. Sister-in-law Patsy Holland of Royse City. Granddaughters Courtney Lopez, Erin Galaviz, Brittney Gaines, Cathy Lenz, Sayata Belcher, and Wendy Bramlett. Grandsons Branden Gaines, Scott
Gaines, Tony Belcher, Eric Linz, Grady Lopez, and Jim Furgason. Finally, great-grandchildren Kenzie, Willow, Piper, Maddie, Sophia, Jack, and Isabella.
Nelda is proceeded in death by her husband James Dwight Gaines, husband Marcus Belcher, parents Ada and Harley Holland, brother Harley Holland Jr., sister and brother-in-law LaVonne and Frank Jones, niece Cheryl Jones, son-in-law Denny Henson, as well as many cousins.
A visitation with family will be held Wednesday, January 31, 2024, at Restland Funeral Home in Dallas from 5 – 7 p.m. The funeral will be on Thursday, February 1st at 10 a.m. in the Wildwood Chapel at Restland Cemetery in Dallas.
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