Nannie Myrl Meliezer

Nannie Myrl Bailey Meliezer was born on Feb. 15, 1926 in Sylvarena, MS to parents Timothy Jefferson Bailey and Winnie Myrtle Davis Bailey. Nannie went to be with her Heavenly Family on April 30, 2015 at the age of 89, with her daughters by her bedside in Houston, TX.
She is survived by daughters Barbara Ronda Meliezer Loetzerich and husband Karl (Houston, TX), Christine Marie Meliezer Guillaume and husband James (Denham Springs, LA) and her beloved grandchildren, Derek and Sara Loetzerich. She is survived by sisters Bobby Gautreau, Billie Odom (and L.B.), Eva Nell Bailey, Linda Myers, Angie Hammond (and John); sister-in-laws Florence Bailey Campbell, Reina Schraverus (and Evert), Erie Meliezer, and numerous nieces and nephews. Nannie was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Eugene F.W. Meliezer; her brothers Kennon, Davis and Quitman Bailey, and sisters Mary Lou Landrum and Edna Bassett.
Born into rural farm life in the hills of Mississippi, Nannie’s life was blessed with ordinary and unusual living. She survived a sickly childhood to be strong and able for U.S. Army, where she served from Jan 1949 to Sept 1952, ending her career as a corporal. Her WAC life included food supervision and marching in special parade details. While stationed in Yokohama, Japan, she worked in intelligence statistical collection of military gains/losses during the Korean War. She received the Korean Medal of Honor and United Nations Service Medal. Her enlistment included a stay at Walter Reed Hospital for kneecap replacement after a fall during a basketball lay-up while playing on the WAC team. In the barracks, Nannie was mother hen, holding dates accountable to respectable behavior for her peers.
She returned to civilian life, working in a boutique in Mobile, AL and met the love of her life, Eugene Meliezer. They married in 1953; later moved to Chalmette, LA and then to Gretna where they lived for 45 years. Nannie was a homemaker, avid gardener, devoted mother and grandmother. She loved reading, sports, travel, baking, holidays, entertaining, and church life. She remained close to her family and visited them often. Her home was a comfort to many living far from home or coming to the USA for a new life. She was also a member of American Legion Post 0218.
Nannie, a devout Christian, was an advocate of prayer and scripture. She was active in her Methodist churches, and enjoyed teaching Sunday school, helping with church activities, and working with her Christian friends. She was devoted to the Ruth Circle at the Gretna United Methodist Church, and served in the Gretna Camp for The Auxiliary of The Gideons Intl.
Nannie and Eugene began a new phase of life when relocating to Houston. Making new friends came easy for them at the Tanglewood Village and their final home, the Abbey at Westminster Plaza. They belonged to Westminster UMC. She was an honoree at the 2012 Annual Texas Governor’s Banquet as a distinguished war veteran. The family is grateful to Excel Hospice, and the staff at the Abbey for their outstanding care, love, and devotion to Nannie and Eugene.
Family and friends are invited to a Christian service at the chapel of MOTHE FUNERAL HOME, 2100 Westbank Expressway, Harvey, LA on Friday May 15, 2015 at 11 AM. Visitation will be from 10 AM until funeral time. Interment to follow at The Garden of Memories, 4900 Airline Hwy, Metairie. In lieu of flowers, donations for Bibles can be made in her memory to Gideons Intl., PO Box 1395, Gretna, LA 70054. Family and friends may view and sign the online guest book at www.mothefunerals.com .