Nelda Gatewood Stringer

Nelda Stringer, age 91, of Long Beach, Mississippi, passed away peacefully on Wednesday May 24, 2023, with family by her side. She was a loving wife of 61 years to her husband John D. Stringer who preceded her in death in 2016. She was born in 1932 to Josie and Nettie Gatewood in Forest, Mississippi. Her interests included music which started at an early age; she competed to earn the privilege to play the piano for her church and later majored in music and business at Mississippi State College for women (the W) in Columbus, Mississippi. She had a great voice and often sang solos at church. Around the same time with her career, she became the first licensed woman securities/ stockbroker in the state of Tennessee.

When her husband finished dental school, they moved to Long Beach in 1959 and became the mother to three children: Sheryl of Houston Texas, Mark (Denise) of Long Beach, and Tabb (Tracie) of Anacortes, Washington. She also enjoyed being the grandmother to Chris, Haleigh (Cody), Laurel, Linsey and Emily Stringer as well as being a great-grandmother to Miles and Tatum. Her church memberships included First United Methodist in Long Beach and after moving to Gulfport, Trinity United Methodist Church.

Her family is most appreciative to her dedicated caretakers Faye Robinson, Liddiae McCarty, Tyia Brooks, Tesstrena Torregano and Tuesday Gooden who enabled her to stay in her home for several years. Also appreciated are the staff at Driftwood nursing home and Canon Hospice who provided comfort to her for the past six months.

Nelda will be interned next to her beloved husband at the VA National Cemetery in Biloxi at a private ceremony with family members at a later date to honor the life and memory of an inspiring woman who touched the lives of so many. She will be missed dearly but never forgotten!