She was born July 10, 1926, in Humphreys to Carl E. and Myrtle (Stultz) Johnson. Nelda grew up on the family farm south of Altus. She was a valedictorian and graduate of Humphreys High School where she was a star athlete and outstanding student. She was a long time resident of the Jackson County area. She began a career at Bell Telephone Company, later working for Public Service Company, and then became director of the United Way. She served on many City of Altus committees, including the Committee of 100. Nelda was the first female to serve on the Board of Directors of the Altus Chamber of Commerce, eventually serving three terms. She was a long-time member of the First Baptist Church of Altus, many of those years included teaching young children’s classes. She was also active in WMU Roundtable and served in many capacities in the Erolethian Club. Nelda married Thomas L. Gramling March 1, 1947. The couple spent most of their married life promoting Altus and helping to make Altus a better city. After retirement, they owned and operated U-Keep-Key Mini Storage. Nelda loved to cook, travel, play games, and spend time with her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Myrtle Johnson; her brother, Lloyd Johnson; her two sisters, Gleola Johnson Southern and Jeanette Johnson Jones; and her nephews, David Johnson and Lynn Johnson.
Nelda is survived by her husband, T.L. Gramling of Altus; her daughter, Jan Taylor and husband Ron of Richardson, Texas; her son, Scott Gramling and wife Jane of Springfield, Mo.; granddaughter, Shelbi Taylor of Richardson, Texas; her sister, Jacqueline Jenkins of Springfield; and her three brothers, Donald Johnson and wife Helen of Edmond, Carl Bluford Johnson of Bethany, and Charles Johnson of Port Orange, Fla. She also cherished her brother-in-law, Gene Gramling and sisters-in-law, Beverly Gramling, Doris Taylor, and Judy Gramling. Nelda was extremely proud of her many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation of Oklahoma, 720 W. Wilshire Blvd, Suite 101H, Oklahoma City, OK 73116, or JCMH Hospice, 1204 E. Tamarack Road, Altus, OK 73521, or to the charity of one’s choice.
The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. today at Lowell-Tims Funeral Home.
Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the First Baptist Church in Altus with the Rev. Keith Wiginton and Dr. Jeff Moore officiating. Interment will be held prior to the service at the Altus City Cemetery under the direction of Lowell-Tims Funeral Home.
On line tributes may be made to the family at www.Lowell-Tims.com
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