Obituary of Nellie Wren Foreman

Nellie Wren Foreman passed away on December 21, 2020 at the age of 94 in Bastrop, LA. Nellie Wren McCurley was born on June 21, 1926 in Electric Mills, Mississippi, joining her brothers Tom and Bill as the youngest child of Leon and Mildred McCurley. The family later moved to Crosby, where she grew up. Nell attended Copiah Lincoln College, MSCW, and the University of Southern Mississippi. A gifted singer, she majored in music and studied voice for a time in New York City. She met Derrall Foreman when they were both teaching in Pascagoula, MS. They were married in 1950, a wonderful marriage which lasted for 51 years. The Foremans settled in Derrall’s hometown of Bastrop, LA, where they taught and coached for many years. Nell taught music education at Central Junior High School, and she literally taught almost all the students in town to play the autoharp and ukulele. She also led an outstanding girls’ chorus at Central for many years. Always an exceptional athlete, Nell was one of the best amateur golfers in the South, winning countless club championships and tournaments over the years. She was also very active in the First United Methodist Church of Bastrop, serving as the choir director there. After she earned her masters degree in 1968, the family moved to Cleveland, MS. Nell began teaching elementary music methods and voice at Delta State University. She enjoyed playing the role of “mother hen” to the DSU golfers, which Derrall coached in addition to his teaching duties. Nell also served as choir director at St. Luke Methodist Church for many years. Derrall and Nell retired back to Bastrop in 1989, where Nell spent many hours doing volunteer work at the hospital and nursing homes around town. She sang in her church choir and also spent plenty of time on the golf course, winning her last club championship at age 70. She was well known in town for singing to people on their birthdays, accompanying herself on her ukulele. Not many people can win golf tournaments and sing the soprano solos in The Messiah, but Nell was blessed with many gifts. Among them were a sweet nature and a humble spirit, which made her beloved by all who knew her. Nell was preceded in death by her husband Derrall. She is survived by her daughter Amy Sue and son-in-law Omar Escobar, grandsons Derrall Escobar (and wife, Desiree), Daniel Escobar, and David Escobar, and great-grandsons Logan, Tyler, and Conner. Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Bastrop.