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