SLS 24RS-4355 ORIGINAL
2024 Regular Session
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 155
BY SENATOR PRESSLY
CONDOLENCES. Expresses sincere and heartfelt condolences upon the death of Gail
Nelson, wife of former state senator Sydney B. Nelson.
1 A RESOLUTION
2 To express the sincere condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the
3 passing of Gail Anderson Nelson, wife of former state senator Sydney B. Nelson.
4 WHEREAS, the members of the Senate are deeply saddened by the passing of Gail
5 Anderson Nelson, wife of former state senator Sydney B. Nelson, whose dedication and
6 service to the community have left an indelible mark on the people of Louisiana; and
7 WHEREAS, Gail was born on March 29, 1937, in Brunswick, Georgia to William
8 Wyatt Anderson and Lottie Palmer Johnson Anderson; and
9 WHEREAS, Gail was the younger sister of William Wyatt Anderson, Jr. who was
10 born on March 2, 1935, and died in the flu epidemic, and twin brothers John Palmer
11 Anderson and Wyatt Wheaton Anderson, born two years after her on March 27, 1939; and
12 WHEREAS, in her early years, Gail lived in New Orleans, Louisiana, Sarasota,
13 Florida, and Galveston, Texas where she learned to drive on Galveston beaches; and
14 WHEREAS, Gail and her family later returned to Brunswick, Georgia, where she
15 was awarded the "Most Intelligent" superlative by vote of her peers, and it was in Brunswick
16 where she graduated, and later met Sydney Banks Nelson; and
17 WHEREAS, Gail and Sydney were married after a short courtship and to this union
18 was born a daughter, Denise Dawn Nelson (Akers), and a son, Sydney Stephen Nelson; and
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SLS 24RS-4355 ORIGINAL
1 WHEREAS, of the many things Gail loved, chief on this list was family and her
2 church, First United Methodist Church of Shreveport (FUMC) where she faithfully served
3 as chaperones for the FUMC youth group; and
4 WHEREAS, in addition to her remarkable work as a registered nurse, Gail has served
5 as a PTA President, wedding coordinator, girl scout leader, one of the first female presidents
6 of the Residence Association, and she was a member of the board of trustees for the United
7 Methodist Church, Louisiana Conference; and
8 WHEREAS, Gail's famous banana and cranberry bread for breakfast was a favorite
9 amongst her family, and the cherished bond and fond memories she created with her
10 children, Denise and Sydney, four grandchildren, Heather Aileen, Christopher, Anna
11 Kathryn, and William, and two great-grandchildren, Reagan Dawn and Zander James, will
12 forever be etched in the most sacred spaces of their hearts.
13 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
14 does hereby extend its heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of Gail
15 Anderson Nelson on her passing and expresses its deepest gratitude for her years of
16 dedicated service to the people of the state of Louisiana.
17 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
18 family of Gail Anderson Nelson as a token of our sincere sympathy and appreciation for her
19 outstanding contributions to our state.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Yoursheka D. Butler.
DIGEST
SR 155 Original 2024 Regular Session Pressly
Expresses condolences upon the passing of Gail Anderson Nelson, wife of former state
senator Sydney Banks Nelson.
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