Nedra's Story

 
Last edit 2026-08-26.
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Preface.

A tribute to Nedra N. Outlaw--our wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother--is presented here. She was our anchor; this tribute is to honor her memory, provide a legacy for her descendants, and we want you to know her better. We love her deeply and forever.

In the first several sections, we highlight milestones, events and circumstances that set the stage for who she was. These sections comprise a chronological documentary; images are used to guide readers to adjacent text.   A navigation tool is provided at the end of each section allows a viewer to move among sections as desired.

Later, ("Glimpses . . ."), we examine selected attributes individually as she expressed them over time. This is an important part.

Glimpses also a Snapshot subsection where random photographs are displayed.

Portions of the background information were written collaborative by Nedra and her husband, Bill, in stories for their children. Bill wrote most of the remainder with contributions by their children, Will and Elizabeth and their spouses, Christy Outlaw and John Crawford, respectively, and their granchildren, Christine Outlaw, Harrison Outlaw, and Kate Crawford.

This is a living document and will be modifed. Optimized for Chrome and for larger screens.

Continue by scrolling or select your next destination: Preface Deep Ancesry Early Life Elementary School High School University Bill and Nedra Meet Early Married Life

Deep ancestry.

High-schoo

Elementary School.

Nedra attended the Rockdale County public schools. To use an expression that I learned from her, she was a "cutie patootie." Looking at these school photos, I see her sweet disposition and a hint of mischief.

In Nedra's words: "[The photo on the far left of the second panel was] made in front of my childhood home on Highway 20 in Rockdale County, Georgia. At this time, the porch was still screened, having later been changed into a sunroom. Back row: Me, Vic Davis (next-door neighbor), Dennis Norton (my brother), Jimmy Laird (Uncle Pete and Aunt Gladys' son). Front row: Pat Laird, Mariah Kiser [her mother's half-sister], Janet Laird, and Judy Laird. I expect Aunt Gladys made her daughters' dresses, as she usually did. She was known to stay up all night finishing dresses for the girls to wear the next day." I am wearing orthopedic shoes, which were bought for me when I was in the third grade, so that defines the date of these photos.

The photo on the right, above, shows Nedra with Merle (recall, her maternal grandmother), Dennis, and Mariah). Nedra took comfort in Merle's love for her and it is hard not to notice that Nedra is leaning into Merle. Nedra's brother Dennis L. Norton (1950-) became an architect, receiving his degree from Georgia Tech.

Nedra expressed delight when her younger brother, Brian S. Norton (1959-2005), was born. In this image (far left), they are sitting in a chair re-uphostered by the Nortons, who then had an uphostery shop.

A few years later (near left), Nedra looks down approvingly on Brian as he celebrates his birthday. l-r back row: Betty, Judy Laird, Nedra, Mariah, Merle, Wendy Norton (in front of Merle), and Brian (seated).

Photo Credits:The source materials were in Nedra's collection.

(This section was written by Bill and is based on Nedra's reminesces.)

High School.

High-school years comprise a formative period in the lives of most young Americans when influence of peers increases. Many paths can lead to a fulfilling life; highlights of hers are here. During this period, she prepared for university studies, acquired new skills, contributed to her school and matured socially. We look at her family/friends first, then move onto Rockdale High School.

The image, left, portrays her as an apparently care-free teen. She was a reserved person--not aloof--and having this photograph taken of her seems delightfully out-of-character. She was a guest of Nada Fincher's family on a family vacation to Daytona and she appears to have gotten the most of it. Good going, Ned!

(Nada was born and died within days of Nedra's birth and death dates. Nedra and Nada remained in occasional contact via social media.)

The composite image (below) was from a spend-the-night party at the Norton residence when Nedra was 15. Left panel (l-r): Donna Blankenship, Brian Norton, Linda Hutson, Dennis Norton. Center panel (l-r): Brian Norton, Donna Blankenship, Linda Hutson, J. E. Norton. Right panel (l-r): Nedra Norton, Julie Davis, Donna Blankenship, Linda Hutson.

At Rockdale High, Nedra's sense of responsibility and reliability showed early. The image (left) shows that she and her friend the late Ricky Almand were presented with a Citizenship Award. Nedra was on the yearbook staff for several years and Ricky was the editor (and STAR Student) during their senior year. I did not know Ricky, but Nedra spoke fondly of him and one of my Conyers contacts volunteered that he was a "nice guy."

Nedra was a flutist her freshman year (far left) in high school and participated in several other activities, e.g. President of the Spanish Club, throughout the four years she was at Rockdale High.  Judi xxx and Patricia xxx pose with her at a 1961 football game.

Her prom photograph captures her essence. Her escort was Larry Cornwell, Senior Class President. I did not know Larry, but he is spoken well of; at this writing, 2026, he still lives in the Conyers area.

By her graduation, her father had become a successful building contractor. 

Off campus, Nedra worked as a secretary in the engineer's office at Lithonia Lighting the summer after graduation.

Nedra's high-school friends were important to her. We drove from Missouri for a reunion and she was presented a "prize" for greatest distance traveled.

Excerpts of selected comments made by classmates in her yearbooks: "great disposition and warm personality," "big smile and great personality," "real great girl," "very pretty girl, [expressed by many]," "stay sweet. I love you alot," "great person and deserve everything," "a real sweet girl [expressed by many]," "lots of talent and good looks," "the greatest and sweetest friend," "really enjoyed knowing you," "really deserve the very best," "sweet, very cute girl whom I won't forget," "truly wonderful person," "I can't explain what your friendship has meant to me," "sparkling personality," "your advice has always been helpful," "winning smile," "a girl of kindness and beauty," "great person," "hope we can remain friends forever," "wonderful person," "real real great friend," "[chemistry class] is the one you're responsible for me passing," "talent for helping others."

Excerpts of selected comments--some posted publicly and others, privately to me--made by schoolmates after her death: "I loved hearing from Nedra," "her smile lives on," "always remember her smile," "wonderful person to know in high school," "sweet friend in high school," "beautiful woman," "so smart in high school."

Photo Credits:The source materials were in Nedra's collection.

(This section was written by Bill, with special thanks to Judy Bond for assistance with background information.)

University.

Nedra's story at the University of Georgia and our story together began in North Meyers (image below). We were introduced in the lobby (not shown), as discussed in the next section. (By the time that Elizabeth lived in Meyers, it had become co-ed. Times change.)

Nedra was inducted into the Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority (far left), which was a pivotal event in her university experience, and indeed her life. She cared deeply for many of her sisters and maintained contact with them until she died. Her house mother was one of her favorite people. The sorority house (right in the panel above), located at the end of Greek Row near Five Points, was her home for much of her Georgia time and is where she lived when we got back together. A common thread in Nedra's life was service to others; in her sorority, she was Activities Chairman and had other responsibilities.

A part of Nedra's degree program required her to live in one of the four residential-style "home managment houses" on campus. Ann Kuzniak (two years behind Nedra) recalls: ". . . , home economics students were required to spend a quarter managing the houses, overseeing operations like budgeting, cleaning, preparing meals and hosting dinners. It was like a practicum, and you were graded on everything,” Ann said. “You planned the meals, bought the groceries and kept up with the money, and it was to the penny. If you had 76 cents left over for your week, you turned it in.” The faculty member in charge, Mrs. Jenkins, dropped in at any time, and had a planned meal once a week at each house.

Off campus, Nedra worked some at Kilburn's Day Nursery in Athens where she organized and supervised child play and at Elmore's in Conyers as a sales clerk during semester breaks.

Data filed with the UGA Placement Office indicate that her interests were Art, Architecture (especially contemporary), and Fashion. Her hobbies were Drawing (drafting), Designing, Sewing, and Gourmet Cooking. The following sections allow assessment of how her interests manifested in adult life.

Graduating from UGA at 22, Nedra was on the threshold of maturity. That sentiment was the impetus for portraying her at this critical time in a series of proofs, below.

Nedra did not have a car at UGA and was on a tighter budget than many of her friends. Upon graduation, her father bought her a new car with the proviso that she repay him for half. We did.

Excerpts of selected comments--some posted publicly and others, privately communicated to me--made by UGA friends after Nedra's death: "a great lady," "I miss Nedra," "talented and wonderful person, "beautiful soul . . . class act,"very special friend, "I will always joyfully remember that lunch at SoHo with Nedra and Elizabeth," "one in 10 gazillion and made a lasting impression on everyone she met," "sweetest, most caring, loving person . . . big heart," "so creative," "one of a kind and one of the genuinely nicest people I have ever known," "so creative and accomplished," "kind and compassionate . . . admired her gentle spirit."

Credits: FACS newsletter for Ann Kuzniak's remembrances. AOP website for image of the AOP house. UGA Housing for image of Meyers.

(This section was written by Bill, and is supported by source material in Nedra's personal effects and discussions with Bill.)

Nedra and Bill meet.

It took Fate a couple of tries to unite Nedra and me.  Aunt Ellen--Granny Della’s sister--married Reilly Hooper from Monticello, GA, whose sister Lousie married Robert Aiken.  The Aikens had a daughter, Brenda, now deceased, who visited Aunt Ellen’s daughter, Wynelle Dorminey, and thus Brenda and I met in Nashville.  Brenda and I got together at the University of Georgia;  she was one of the nicest people you could meet.   She set me up with a date with Nedra, who lived on the same floor in North Myers. Nedra was an incoming freshman then (Fall Quarter, 1966). 

I fell in love with Nedra on first sight, as I’ve said many times.  She was the most feminine creature I had ever seen.  The essence of beauty.  I loved everything about her, her soft skin, her poise, her reserved behavior, her sweet demeanor, . . . .  I was smitten. A day didn't pass since my first meeting her but I did not think of her  I am ashamed that I was immature, self-centered, WAY too rowdy for a girl of her nature, and generally not respectful. I did not know--and indeed could not have known--that subsequent DNA analysis would reveal that genetically I have a strong propensity (top category) toward "risky behavior." Physical risky behavior is one of the most strongly expressed genetic personality traits, nom. 55%, and is associated with many negative outcomes like alcoholism, drug addiction, sexual promiscuity, . . . She terminated our upstart relationship for cause. 

As mentioned, Fate had a second shot at uniting us, and this time, it worked (though, actually, I had not matured enough). I called Nedra in late spring, 1970, and she agreed to go out with me. On our first date, she prepared Country Captain, which became my favorite dish (and which Will and Harrison made for our intimate family dinner at the farm following her death).

The profile photograph is the first that I ever made of her and it captures her joy in being reunited with me. She had not forgotten me either! I was lucky; she felt the same way and expressed it in an card she wrote for our 37^th anniversary.

Love was in the air!

Photo credits: The image of Nedra sitting with me was made by the late William H. Stephens, Jr,, later rheumatologist in Savannah. Bill was my house guest during the summer of 1970.

(This section was written by Bill.)

Early Married Life.

ADD: Image of trailer Nedra started a job and we married in September, 1971. At the time, I was a graduate student in plant biology and in an active army reserve unit following my two-year army hitch. My lab work weekday was 7:30 am-9:30 pm with a 2-h break to come home, warm our dinner and eat together. On the weekends, I was in the lab on Saturday until 2:30 pm. Nedra spent most of her private time alone at home (left, a 12x47' mobile home on a resnted lot). My sister Carolyn gave her a b/w TV with rabbit ears to take the chill off lonliness.

As alluded to, Nedra secured a position as a home-economics teacher in Hartwell, GA (left panel). With her 80-mile drive each day and often having to stay late for a function, Nedra was pushed to her limit too.

The right panel is a studio portrait made in 1974 before we moved to Lansing. She made the plaid outfit. A sewing-machine company gave a huge discount to home-economic teachers, enabling us to afford a top-of-the-line machine for her. This was the first of her three sewing machines.

Determination defined Nedra. Through evening and weekend classes, she earned a master's degree. The front page of her research paper is shown at left. Putting the paper itself together was an all-hands-on-deck affair. I typed the paper on a manual Underwood typewriter and prepared the figures with a borrowed LeRoy Lettering Set. (How things have changed!) My sister, Carolyn, came from Decatur and supervised and even proof-read.

Traditions were established in our early marriage that continued for the next 50 years. She took responsibility for my clothes--selecting, purchasing, making, maintaining &c. She laid them out on the bed every morning . We adopted a pattern of eating dinner together every night. And, those early busy days gave rise to our mega-meal tradition, i.e., preparation of food in large batches and freezing individual meals to be had later. Primitive at first (recyled TV-dinner trays heated in an oven), this tradition got us through hard times beginning in the early 1990s when she was physically unable to cook many days. Nedra also started managing my hair after she examined the job I got at "Jack's." Jack had gotten distracted and failed to cut the hair on one side of my head. :)

I completed my degree in 1974 and remained in Don Fisher's lab for about a month to reach a stopping point on a side project. Then, it was time to move on to Ed Tolbert's lab in Lansing (next section). We sold the mobile home and almost everything in it and packed the remainder in a trailer (left). The disassembly of our home and packing put Meco in a high-anxiety state--she got as far forward as possible in the trailer and remained barely visible. She surmised that her future would be wherever the trailer went. What a dog.

After Nedra's death, one who taught Nedra at Rockdale High and subsequently taught with Nedra in Hartwell commented that Nedra was a "great student and great teacher."

Photo credits: Hartwell County School system for her official photograph. A commercial studio made the portrait. Jackson Webster, our neighbor (and Bill's car-pool buddy) took the other photo.

(This section was written by Bill.)

Move to Michigan; Will's birth.

xFifty years ago, a baby boy was born in Sparrow Hospital, Lansing, MI, to Nedra and Bill Outlaw.  His given names were a combination of family names [William Henry Harrison “Dick” Outlaw (1840-1910) → Lucious G. Outlaw (1873-1918) → William Henry Outlaw (1912-1986) → William Harrison “Bill” Outlaw Jr. (1946-)] plus [Mark R. Watson (1816-1898) → Samuel W. Watson (1863-1925) → Mark A. Watson (1896-1959) →  A. Christine née Watson Outlaw (1918-2001) → William Harrison “Bill” Outlaw Jr. (1946-)].  W.H.H. Outlaw was born a year before the short presidency of William Henry Harrison.  Harrison’s popular fame was based on his military career, esp. his defeat of Tecumseh’s confederacy (though Harrison had political experience as early as the 18th century). Harrison’s father had been a revolutionary soldier.  Harrison’s profile likely appealed to W.H.H.’s father, Alexander, who had been an “Indian fighter” and whose grandfather Benjamin was a revolutionary soldier. I do not have reliable information concerning the origin of Mark R. Watson’s given names; possibly the R. is for Rouse, which is maybe his mother’s maiden name.  Likely, Mark R. was illegitimate.  Patsy had children by several men and was kicked out of the church for adultery.  Of course, “Mark” was altered to Marcus to fit our tastes.

Will’s birth was a dramatic milestone, but neither the beginning nor the end. Will’s due date was two weeks later, but thanks to Bruder, his birth moved up.  On the night of Jan 25/26 (~10 pm), Bruder had been enjoying a bone by the bed as I tried to sleep.  I reached down and pulled the bone from him and he growled; over time, he had become confrontational, a dangerous trait in a dog of his size and power.  He and I had a fight that ended up in the bathroom, where I pulled off the shower-curtain rod and used it to gain the upper hand.  Then, I dispatched him to the basement. His recovery was a testament to his strength. Of course, for minutes, Nedra did not know who was winning and the stress caused her to go into labor ~2 am;  it was a long labor, about 15 h, before Will was born at 5 pm.  It appeared that a C-section was coming up (dreaded for Nedra and for our finances since we had no insurance and I was on poverty wages as a post-doc in the Biochemistry Department, MSU). The OB was an obnoxious SOB (in sharp contrast to Elizabeth’s); he told me to put my camera away.  I thought he was worried that I’d use flash (a potential hazard and distraction). It turned out he thought I’d sneak around and take compromising photos of other women.  When he left the room, the nurses told me to take out my camera and get all the shots I wanted.  I did.  Meanwhile, someone tried to steal the Mercedes symbol off the hood of our car in the parking garage and damaged the connecting mechanism.  Drama followed us home.  Mrs. Norton came to help. As I showered, I heard loud and helpless screams predicting imminent death, destruction, and disaster from Nedra and Mrs. Norton.  I jumped out of the shower and after Will was breathing again, I realized I was standing naked in front of my mother-in-law. 

Will’s origin goes back further.  Nedra had had a miscarriage and was eager to get back on track.  On the other hand, I had been away camping for several days as we canoed down the Ogeechee River. So, when I got home, I wanted nothing more than sleep, but Nedra got her way.  Now, we have a Harrison, and who knows, he may name his son Henry (and Julia may contribute another Christine or Addie?).  As an aside, I canoed the entire distance from beginning to end, but over several trips.  Bartram would be proud that we retraced his steps, and I was proud that Will joined us on one segment several years later. 

xx

PHOTO OF BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT

pPHOTO OF PACKED MOVING TRAILER

PHOTO OF BIOCHEM BUILDING

PHOTO OF TOLBERT'S BEACH PLACE? WITH HER?/

PHOTO OF HER W w WILL ON ALAPAHA

pHOTO OF HER BATHING W IN FLORRISSANT.

Photocredits: Most are Nedra and Bill's collection.

(This section was written by Nedra and her husband, Bill.)

The Outlaws move to Missouri, where Elizabeth was born.

Add: photo of Hedgerow, also bonfils photos of E

In 1978, Elizabeth decided it was her day and Nedra sensed the time had come.  Bill called his lab the first thing and told Jill Manchester née Kennedy, his technician and stepdaughter of Bill’s former mentor, Dr. Lowry, that he was going to take the day off.  The lab had been anxiously awaiting this momentous event, and while the reason was not mentioned, Jill knew.  Besides, as an assistant professor in the harshly competitive environment of Wash U, he could not take a day off unless it was really important, as this day was.
Recalling the long hours of waiting in the hospital for Will’s birth (and awaiting to learn whether a C-section was going to be required), Bill and Nedra decided to distract themselves, thus a shopping trip to the nearby Target to buy film.  The clerk looked at N and wondered why we were at Target?  The trip seemed normal then, though it doesn’t in the telling.  After returning home about noon, Bill and Nedra went to St. Lukes West in tony Chesterfield, where Monsanto developed its campus. St. Lukes West was a large new hospital; St. Lukes had had a presence in St. Louis since the mid-1800s.
Nedra’s OB-GYN was Bryant Thompson (1935-2019), truly a doctor that could not be improved upon. His son, Jeffery, followed his father (clinical faculty at Wash U, OB-GYN, same practice) and an outsized number of Thompsons are affiliated with Wash U Medical School. In retirement Dr. Thompson enjoyed driving his John Deere tractor on his farm in southern Illinois and gardening at his home in Clayton.  😊 There are connections, always connections, even when they aren’t rooted out:  Thompson was the surname of Bill’s 2d greatgrandfather;  Elizabeth might remember that we visited his grave and had a personalized tour of his home, which had been moved to Brewton-Parker College, founded by Bill’s family, in Mount Vernon, GA.
Dr. Thompson came by in the early afternoon and decided to deliver Elizabeth  in the early evening.  He was happy to have Bill in the delivery room--that idea was of just catching on.  When Elizabeth made her debut, Bill glanced at her and remarked to Nedra, “We have another baby boy.”  The nurse said, “Look again.”  Bill didn’t say much after that.

As Elizabeth was born, a delightful song was being played.  You’ll have to see for yourself.  So cool!
Will was part of the loop from the beginning.  When Will first saw her, Elizabeth was in the display case with the other newborns.  Once she was identified, Will headed to the side door planning to go in and get her and take her home right then. Of course, that plan was foiled, but it does capture his mindset.
As she did after Will’s birth, Mrs. Norton visited for a few days.

All along, Bill had mercilessly teased the Nashville Outlaws and they were beside themselves. He’d casually mentioned that Nedra went to her OB, but ignored follow-up questions. They knew she was pregnant, but they didn’t know.  In the end, it was settled.  Nedra’s announcement to them is at left.  Of course, Granny kept it.

xx

The Outlaws move to Florida, where Bill had a 30-year career at FSU.

ADD: chelmsford, E w T, W in baseball, church

Excerpts of selected comments from various sources after Nedra's death made by FSU associates and others who knew her when she lived in Tallahasse: "I remember a pow-wow we had in your office many years ago. . . . I had considered [], but you told me you had found yourself in a similar situation and Nedra had counseled you [and you followed her advice]. I have carried this with me until this day." "wonderful person," "what a great person," "I recall my parents saying how much they had enjoyed spending time with Nedra," "such a kind and wonderful woman," "I spent so much of my childhood in their home. She always treated me like one of her own," "wonderful mother and grandmother," "truly lovely lady," "loved her. . . . one of a kind and world could use more like her," "always the kindest and sweetest woman. She always made me feel welcome in her home," "gentle disposition," "Few people will experience the love and support you had for each other," "a beautiful soul and your perfect partner in the life you had built together," "truly a special woman," "sweet lady," "principled woman who made life better for others," "admirable life you built together," "very special woman," "sweet and gentle person; I will miss her dearly," "wonderful person," "beautiful person."

Will and Elizabeth Established.

Nedra was our Chief of Staff and the co-author of our lives. Every day, she nurtured us, guided us, supported us. In particular, Nedra was a dedicated mother. As mentioned below, both Will and Elizabeth returned to their mom's open arms after college as they prepared for the next step in their lives. Their paths were consistent with the advice I gave them, viz. to become educated in a topic of interest and then gain the skills needed to earn a living and serve society.

Will first left home in Fall, 1993, to attend the College of William and Mary, from which he earned an A.B. in Classics and a minor in Chemistry in Fall, 19xx. He immediately returned to Florida State, where he had previously taken undergraduate and graduate courses while he was in high school and earned a degree in Biological Sciences. His final degree program was at the University of Florida (image at left), which was followed by xx years of xxx at blank.

Elizabeth's choice was the University of Georgia, where she began her program in Fall, 1996. Elizabeth's path had interesting detours. When she was a rising senior, she and a high-school friend, Beverly Bowers, took off to London, no job and no lodging. I aged 10 years that summer. It ended well, whew, and she completed her A.B. in Anthropology with a minor in French, Spring, 1999. Another opportunity presented itself: she was awarded xxxx by the xxxx, and she didn't hesitate. This turned out to be an opportunity for her mom, too, who visited with her for several weeks (image?). Like Will, Elizabeth returned to live with us while earning a masters at FSU (and teaching French at at Leon); one job has never been enough for Elizabeth. xxxJackson County xxx UA. Finally, Elizabeth earned her Ph.D. at the College of William & Mary in xxx (see image).

Photo credit; The images were provided by Elizabeth and Will.

(This section was written by Nedra's children, William and Elizabeth, and her husband, Bill.)

Marriage of Children.

Milestones in Nedra's life, like their becoming established, include the marriages of her children.

Will and Christy Hill married in 2017 at Autumn Creek Vineyards. The image at far-left shows the couple along with Will's children, Harrison and Christine. The warmth in the embrace, left, of Will and Nedra is striking.

blah

blah

blah

Photo credit; The images were provided by Elizabeth and Christy.

(This section was written by Nedra's family.)

Nedra's Grandchildren.

Nedra was the consumate grandmother, doting, nurturing, assisting, entertaining.

Christine remembers Grandmommy as caring, selfless, always putting others above herself, thoughtful, and with a special talent for decorating. One of Christine's fondest memories is of the two of them sitting in my office after Nedra's first stroke. Christine had helped her dress on this last visit and felt closest to her then. Nedra was trying to act as if all was normal; her stoicism was characteristic.

In addition to being a student, Christine works as a waitress and enjoys reading and swimming. She is preparing for a career in acting or marketing.

Nedra's second grandchild and Will's second child, Harrison arrived in 2009. Harrison attends Northern Guilford High School and is passionate in all he does, as attested to by his involvement in soccer (three times with a broken collar bone, and structural tears in his legs). Harrison is shown at far-left as a toddler, and near-left, more recently picking shiitakes at the farm.

The last time he visited, he and Nedra watched together a documentary on birds; he cherishes that last conversation with her, but he especially enjoys reminescing about making biscuits with her. She was a peerless cook and Harrison is following that path. He describes Nedra as selfless, tolerant, nurturing, loving.

In addition playing soccer, Harrison also referees and he works in a pizzeria. Otherwise, he enjoys his independent study of Spanish and studying science in his spare time. He would like to train as a chemist or biologist in university.

Elizabeth's daughter, Kate, was Nedra's third and final grandchild. In the far-left, young Kate is being held by Nedra. In the near-left, Kate is cooking--one of her passions--at the farm. Kate and her mother plan vegan menus, shop, and cook together. Kate is presently a middle-school student at Friends School of Wilmington--Quaker School.

Nedra always planned activities for visits by the grandchildren, e.g., a trip to a park to swing, or a hair-cutting session, or a visit to a historical site.

Kate enjoys dancing and surfing with her dad. Like all our family, Kate loves dogs. She would like to be a biologist.

(This section was written by Bill and the grandchildren.)

Glimpses of Nedra's Life throughout the Ages.

Introduction.

Recall that Nedra's development into womanhood and milestones of her life have been the foci of previous sections. In this section, we will remember Nedra's day-to-day activities with vignettes typical of her life. Please note that other relevant content appears in linked sections, below, e.g. her relationship with Bill's parents.

Dogs identified Nedra as trustworthy.

Ancestors of present-day large working dogs were subject to intense pressure during domestication to evaluate human individuals to determine whether a person is "good" or "bad." Google AI expresses it thusly, "they excel at reading physiological and behavioral cues that help them determine if someone is untrustworthy or potentially dangerous." This is a fascinating topic--dogs can smell human stress hormones (we can't), they detect heart rate, they evaluate human competence, and so forth. Dogs know. Dogs do joke around, like we do, but they default to the literal if a situation loses clear context to them. "My" dog Meco and I were joined at the hip: when l changed rooms, so did she (and grumbled about it); when I went to bed, she jumped up on the bed and rested her head on my ankles with ears alert for the evening; when someone came too close to me, she'd get between us, and on a few occasions she walked behind a person who violated my personal space and gently held their leg in her jaws. I'll never forget once when I was playful with Nedra when we first got back together and Meco became confused. First, she barked at me. When that didn't work, she grabbed my hand in her jaws. I thought, "WTH, Meco! Nedra's supposed to be the spare human." That incident made me love both of them more. Nedra won the dog contest. I can't show you that incident, but I can show you our dogs and granddogs competing for her attention (image, left, 2007-07-31). Priscilla, her dog, has taken a position under Nedra's right arm; Buttley, my dog, left. Buttley is giving the what for to Daisy, Eliz's dog. The stand-off between Priscilla and Belle, Eliz's dog, is more subtle. Priscilla, in a semi-submissive stance, is looking away; Belle, too, does not want to appear to be engaged. Both had evaluated the situation and decided not to make a move. Dogs know. (P.S., After this section was written, I found a narrative written by Nedra that discussed Meco's habit of inserting herself between others and us.)

Nedra participated in the social life of our lab.

xxx

3-5 PHOTOGRAPHS--W SQZ AT CHINESE NEW YEAR+ IN LAB +WHATEVER I CAN FIND, E.G., PARTY W PING & DINNER IN LAB WHEN WHEN I COULDN'T SPARE THE TIME TO LEAVE + IF I CAN FIND, PHOTO W RUDIGER, KARTHIK, YUN, STEVE SPRINGER, GIANI, MITCH, OTHERS.

Nedra loved to sew.

pHOTOGRAPHS FROM HER WORK AREA, OF HER PRODUCTS

Nedra was the consummate home decorator.

pHOTOGRAPHS of HOUSE CONSTRUCTION, STENCILING, REFINISHED FURNITURE (IF i CAN FIND IT)

Nedra was fond of wild flowers.

pHOTOGRAPHS her planting wildflowers, of various wild flowers she loved

Nedra was born to nurture.

blah blah

xxx

Snapshots.

THIS WILL BE THE LAST SECTION TO COMPLETE WITHIN Glimpses

WILL BE TEXT DESCRIBING THE FOLLOWING 3-PHOTO PANEL

PANELS ARRANGED VERTICALLY IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER.

Illness, Death, and Aftermath

Health problems limited Nedra throughout much of her life, especially from the early-to-mid 1990s, when she was diagnosed with fibromyalgia; several local rheumatologists treated her, and one later added a diagnosis of lupus. Her health varied — periods of relative wellness alternatated with periods of significant impairment. It was not her nature to complain or create drama, so most people did not know. Notwithstanding, the seriousness was underscored when she was denied long-term-care insurance.

Late on March 15, 2025, Nedra bruising appeared across Nedra's chest. At 3 a.m. we went to the ER at SGMC (Berrien), where she received excellent care. Later that day,

Aftermath

Ned

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