Obituary of Miriam Nelouise "Nell" Waddell Priest

Miriam Nelouise “Nell” Waddell Priest answered her Lord’s call on Friday, July 18, 2025, at 8:41 a.m. Nell was at home, resting peacefully, surrounded by her family. Nell was born to Mertyce McCall Waddell on December 28, 1928, in Tallulah, Louisiana. She attended Tallulah High School where she enjoyed playing basketball and cheerleading. After she and her mother moved to Bastrop, Nell attended Bish Mathis Business School in Monroe, along with a young man named K.C. Priest, whom she married in 1947. K.C. and Nell began a life of traveling courtesy of the United States Air Force, and raised three children – Kanell, Ken, and Keith – while seeing much of the world. She often talked about putting up curtains for 2 months in a new home, only to take them down when they moved to a new location, making yet another new home. Wherever they went, Nell made sure their home was a refuge where she welcomed all the kids’ friends from school and church. Nell was a beloved daughter, wife, and mother. She was always an example of kindness and courage. She loved welcoming family and friends into their home, especially for the annual Priest Christmas Eve party where in-laws and out-laws were equally welcomed! Even in the last week of her life, Nell played a spirited game of dominoes with Keith and two friends. She had been blind for quite some time, so Keith had the other players don blindfolds to even the odds. Nell won the first round! She loved Ole Blue Eyes and all that great music, and was frequently cheerfully humming “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” around the house, regardless of the season. Her grands Amy and Megen can tell you all about days spent with Mamaw. Nell was also an excellent seamstress and an avid gardener. She loved and grew some exceptional varieties of roses and irises. Many of those irises are now blooming in gardens around town because she shared them when she could no longer see to garden. Nell encouraged her children to follow the Lord, and her daily example of trusting Him carried through to her last days. She loved and missed her Sunday School class friends and being at church with them. She was not afraid; she knew where her eternal home was. Nell Priest was preceded in death by her husband of 77 years, K.C. Priest, Sr., and her mother, Mertyce Helena McCall Milliken. Nell is survived by her three children, Kanell Priest Speirs, Kindred Charles “Ken” Priest, Jr., and Keith Alan Priest; grandchildren Kyle Lee Priest, Kindred Charles “Kasey” Priest, III, Karlene Noel Priest, Amy Speirs Reid (Ryan), and Megen Miriam Priest., as well as 10 great-grandchildren. The family wishes to thank Premier Hospice staff, and the private sitters who made this journey easier on Nell and all her family. We are especially grateful for Vickie Linzay and her exceptional care for Mom. Visitation for Nell Priest will be Thursday, July 24, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at Golden’s Funeral Home, with a memorial service there at 12:00 noon. Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life for Nell immediately after the service at FBC Bastrop’s Family Life Center.