Nelda "Sue" Smallwood Stidger

Nelda Sue Smallwood Stidger, 80 of Lacey’s Spring passed away Saturday February 8th 2025 at her residence. She was born on January 21st, 1945 to Luke and Lillie Mae Smallwood and was a native of Morgan County. Sue was a lifelong member of the Methodist Church and grew up attending services in “little white churches” throughout Morgan County. Red Oak Grove was a special place for her. It was her “home” church where she gave her life to Jesus while living in the Ryan Community during her childhood. She married her husband Everett D, Stidger there in 1980 and her daughter Kari was christened there in 1981. In 1959 Sue moved to Cotaco where she began attending services at Cotaco Methodist. She was an active member of the church and enjoyed youth group activities during her time there. In 1974, Sue moved from Cotaco to Lacey’s Spring and attended Lacey’s Spring Methodist Church. She was an active participant in services and events at Lacey’s Spring until her health curtailed her activities. Sue graduated from Cotaco High School in 1963 and began work at Marshall Space Flight Center in the Documents Department during the Apollo Space Flight Program. Nelda, as she was professionally known, remained with MSFC until 1981 when her daughter was born and Sue left office work to be a stay-at-home mom. Sue was loved dearly; she will be missed terribly and never forgotten by her family and many close friends. Survivors: Daughter Kari Allisa Stidger of Lacey’s Spring AL; Nieces, Julie Smallwood Figurski of Lampasas TX, Karen Blackmon of Jerome Idaho, and Cheryl Ann Bryson of California; Nephews, Jeffrey Smallwood and Jim Smallwood of Jerome, ID; Great Nieces; Amy Figurski of College Station TX, Anna Figurski of Lampasas TX and Emily Ruth Jackson (Cameron) of Fowlerville, MI; Great Nephews: Alan Figurski (Falon) of Lampasas, TX, Aric Figurski (Annie) of Brady TX and Jesse Luke Smallwood of Fowlerville MI; Great-Great Nieces, Maeve and Zane Figurski of Lampasas TX, Lucy Figurski of Brady TX and Marley Mae Jackson of Fowlerville MI; Great-Great Nephews, Boone and “Brian” Figurski of Brady TX and Aiden and Ronan Jackson of Fowlerville Michigan. Preceded in death by Parents, Luke and Lillie Mae Smallwood; Brothers JV and JL “Cotton” Smallwood; Nephew, Bruce Smallwood and Husband, Everett D. Stidger. Services for Nelda will be Friday, February 14, 2025 at Red Oak Grove Methodist Church in the Cotaco community of Lacey’s Spring, AL. Family, friends and guests will gather at 1:00pm for a visitation with the funeral service at 2:00pm. Brother Jarod Andrews will officiate. Burial will be in the adjoining cemetery. Serving as pallbearers are Alan Figurski, Aric Figurski, Glen Black, Will Black, Brian Simmons and Jonathan Hardage. Honorary pallbearers: Kenneth Roberts and Stanley Roberts. Entrusted with arrangement is Arab Heritage Memorial Chapel. In Lieu of flowers charitable donations can be made to the North Alabama Food Pantry, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or the Parkinson’s Foundation.

Nelda "Sue" Smallwood Stidger

January 21, 1945 - February 8, 2025