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Nelda Faye (Barnett) Drury

Posted 2022-07-28 by mhenderson
Published by Today's News Herald from Jul. 27 to Jul. 28, 2022 -
Lake Havasu City, Arizona -

Our mother, Nelda Faye Drury, died peacefully in her own bed early in
the morning July 20, 2022. She was 92 years young. She was met at the
Gates with open arms and a resounding "Welcome Home, good and faithful
servant."

Nelda was born at home, January 24, 1930, the youngest of eight children
to Annie Mae and John Robert "Bob" Barnett in Fort Worth, Texas. The
family moved to Ardmore, Oklahoma when she was two years old where they
resided in the same home for 32 years. Bob and Annie owned and operated
Barnett Plumbing and were part owners of the minor baseball team there
in Ardmore.

Nelda graduated from Ardmore High School in 1948 and married Harold John
"Red" Sollars, a professional baseball player and part-time plumber, in
July of that same year. Nelda and Red eventually bought the Plumbing
company changing the name to Sollars Plumbing, adding Sporting Goods a
few years later. Nelda took on the job of running the company while Red
went back to school to get his teaching degree.

Nelda reported loving being married and loved being a mother. She was
supportive of Red going back to college while she ran the business.
Their first four daughters were born in Ardmore. The family was active
in First United Methodist Church of Ardmore. They sang in the choir and
attended an Adult Sunday School class. She was President of the Young
Mother's Group. She played bridge and enjoyed square dancing as well as
family activities and vacations.

In 1966, Red and Nelda took a McCulloch promotional flight to Lake
Havasu City (the last one out of Fort Worth, TX). They bought a lot
primarily as an investment. In 1967, Red and Nelda packed up their
family of six and moved to Lake Havasu City.

Nelda reported the 70s were fun for the family and they loved this new
city on the Colorado River. She worked in the Lake Havasu City School
District in various positions but primarily as a librarian. She loved to
read, she loved working with the students and was able to call them by
name. Red and Nelda's youngest daughter was born in Kingman, AZ after
racing the doctor from Havasu to Kingman for the delivery.

Nelda was an active member of United Methodist Women, Friends of the
Library, P.E.O., and Arizona Association of University Women among other
organizations. She continued to play bridge and was active with her
family at St. Michael's United Methodist Church. She went back to school
to get her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education with
certification in Library Science, starting at Mohave Community College
and finishing up at Northern Arizona University; ultimately getting her
Masters in Elementary Education through NAU.

On New Year's Day 2002, Nelda married Gene O Drury of Lake Havasu City.
They knew each other from St. Michael's UMC where they were both active.
Everyone who knew them talked about how sweet they were together. They
called each other sweetheart, held hands when they walked and encouraged
each other over the last 20 years. Mom and Gene were able to stay in
their home with the support of Hospice of Havasu, Beacon Hospice, Meals
on Wheels, and the loving caregiving of daughter Carol and son-in-law
Jerry, daughter Sharon with daughter AnnaMarie and Gene's daughter
Geraldine Hartwell coming in as short-term relief.

Nelda is preceded in death by her husband of 20 years, Gene O Drury and
her husband of 52 years, H.J. "Red" Sollars and their daughters Janice
Faye Kisselburg and Sondra Lee Lyon. She is survived by her daughters
AnnaMarie Sollars (Christian and Jaze); Sharon Dee Sollars (Alexis and
Juan); Carol and Jerry Nowakowski (Justen, K'Lee and Lindsay); Janice's
children Jayson (Tana) and Frances; and Sondra's children Sarah (Jake),
Rebecca (Matt), Derek (Francine), 15 great grandchildren as well as many
members of the Drury family.

Nelda was a devout Christian and brought her grace and faith into every
aspect of her life and instilled that love into her children – instilled
her love of God, her love of family, her love of community, her love of
learning and her love of service. She brought grace into every
situation. She was loved by all who knew her and will be missed more
than words can ever say. But we know she is Home with all those who went
before her – her parents, her brothers and sisters, her in-laws, two
husbands, her two daughters, and her friends – they were all there
waiting to greet her with open arms.

The family will host a visitation Friday, July 29th, 5:00 – 7:00 PM at
Lietz-Fraze Chapel. Nelda's Celebration of Life will be held Saturday,
July 30th, 10:00 am at St. Michael's United Methodist Church with a
simple reception following. Internment is Monday, August 1st, 8:00 am at
Lake Havasu Memorial Gardens.

In keeping with Mom's love of service and learning, the family is asking
in lieu of flowers to please donate to one of these or one of your
favorite charities in her memory.

St Michael's United Methodist Church
2895 Jamaica Blvd S
Lake Havasu City, AZ 86406

Hospice of Havasu
232 London Bridge Road
Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403

Friends of Library
1770 McCulloch Blvd N
Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403

Services were entrusted to the care of Lietz Fraze Funeral Home. To send
free cards go to www.sendoutcards.com/lietzfraze.



See Also: Find A Grave




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