Elda Nealis

A Celebration of Life Service for Elda Jean Roberts Nealis, age 82, of Owasso, OK, will be held on Saturday, March 8 at 10:00 AM at the Ladusau-Evans Chapel, with Reverend Jim Edmison officiating.

Jean was born on March 17, 1942 to Bonnie and Jessie Roberts. She passed away on February 26, 2025 with her son, Mark, by her side. Jean married Thomas (Tom) Nealis on October 12, 1962. Their wedding was the first wedding at Potter Community Church in 50 years. They lived in Enid for over 50 years before relocating to Owasso in 2015 to be near their son, Mark and his family. Jean graduated from Covington High School in 1960. She attended Enid Business College in the early 60s and began her career working at Champlin before moving on to Enid State School. She worked there for several years before going to work as a field clerk in 1977 for the Oklahoma Department of Transportation maintenance yard in Enid until she retired in the early 1996. Tom and Jean attended Trinity Baptist Church and Emmanuel Baptist Church in Enid and later joined First Baptist Church in Owasso.

Jean cherished spending time with her grandchildren whether it was attending their sporting events in Owasso or hanging out with her grandsons in California. She loved working with her hands just like her late husband, Tom. While he was outside tooling away in his workshop, she would spend hours in her sewing room crafting her latest project. In addition to sewing and arts and crafts, she enjoyed collectibles. When she and Tom would venture out on their many camping trips, she always made time to hit up antique stores where she would look for something to add to one of her collections.

She treasured the time she spent with her seven grandchildren, getting together with her many cousins, family celebrations and visiting her eldest daughter and family in California.

Jean is survived by her children - Pam Zelaya and husband, Al; Mark Nealis and wife, Heather and Gayle Nealis. She is also survived by her cherished grandchildren, Lucas and Nathan Zelaya; Peyton, Caleb, Elizabeth, Morgan and Emma Nealis; sisters Sue Klingaman and Cleta Simms. Jean is preceded in death by her husband, Tom and parents, Bonnie and Jessie Roberts.

Memorial contributions may be made in Elda's name to the North Marshall Cemetery with Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home serving as the custodians of the funds.

Condolences may be made, memories shared, and service viewed online at www.ladusauevans.com.