Linda Gadson Nash

Linda Gadson Nash was born January 17, 1948, in Winter Park, Florida to Oscar Cortez Gadson, Jr. and Leola Bernice Parker. As a young girl she moved to Pennsylvania where she graduated from Stroudsburg High School. She attended Grambling College (Grambling State University) where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work. While at Grambling she met the love of her life, the late Mr. Ezickiel Nash. They were married for 49 years and would have celebrated 50 years of marital bliss in January 2021, but “Zeke” transitioned in April of 2020. Linda would never quite be the same without her beloved Zeke - her dance partner, her chef, her one and only love. Linda and Zeke moved from southern Arkansas to New Orleans in 1973 and became parents of two beautiful children, Kelsey Lamar Nash and Kelly Nash Forrest. Through the years, Zeke and Linda continuously established themselves as true New Orleanians, embracing the culture, traditions, and people of the city. Linda was active in the New Orleans Chapter of the Grambling College Alumni Association and supported the very early days of the Bayou Classic. As a lifelong higher education professional, Linda began her career at Dillard University first as Academic and Technology Support in the Division of Nursing and later as Admissions Counselor before retiring in 2011 as Assistant Director of Enrollment Management. Unsatisfied with retired life, she joined Xavier University as an Admissions Specialist where she shared the same professionalism and zest for excellence that she was known for. After four years at Xavier University, she once again joined Dillard University as Executive Assistant to the Vice President for Academic Affairs until her untimely passing. Throughout her career, Linda mentored and “mothered” so many Dillard and Xavier students. She was always pushing and prodding them to achieve their highest goals. Linda was a “connector” and a “fixer,” connecting others to resources that would benefit their careers and make their lives more productive. She had the uncanny gift of seeing leadership potential in others. Linda was active in various civic, and professional organizations. Always about service and helping others, she was initiated into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.®, Alpha Beta Omega Chapter in 1977 and was a Life Member. She worked faithfully to achieve the goals and objectives of the organization. She served in various leadership roles, provided mentorship to younger members; held several chairmanships in her local chapter and served on regional committees of the Sorority. Linda also worked diligently in her spiritual community and was an active member of St. Paul the Apostle Church in New Orleans, LA. where she was the force behind the scenes making her famous mac and cheese alongside Zeke’s famous fried fish for the church’s Lenten Season Fish Fry. At 2:00 pm Tuesday, November 30, 2021, our merciful Lord received into His loving arms, Linda Gadson Nash. Linda was preceded in death by her mother, Leola Bernice Parker; and her beloved husband Ezickiel Nash. Cherishing precious memories of the special relationship they shared with Linda are her father, Oscar C. Gadson of Tuskegee. Alabama; children, Kelsey Nash (Nicole Holmes) of San Antonio, Texas and Kelly Nash Forrest (Rodney) of Boerne, Texas; her granddaughters Krystal Verline Holmes and Dominique Karinelle Nash of New Orleans, Louisiana; grandsons, Kelsey L. Nash, Jr. of Ann Arbor, Michigan and Jarrett K. Nash of Houston, Texas. She will be dearly missed by her brothers Robert Gadson (Darilyn) of Tucson, Arizona and Ronald Gadson (Mary) of Miami, Florida., her cousins, many friends, Zeke’s Family who were also Linda’s Family, sorority sisters, Dillard University and Xavier University faculty, staff and students, as well as the numerous other individuals she touched. A life well-lived “Good and Faithful Servant”. Matthew 25:23 Linda will be remembered with the love, joy and peace that she brought to the lives of others. Visitation and Funeral Mass Friday, 10 December 2021 at 9 am St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church 6828 Chef Menteur Hwy New Orleans, LA 70126 Mask required. Proof of COVID Vaccine required for all attendees. Interment at Mount Olivet Cemetery 11:30 am Arrangements by D. W. Rhodes Funeral Home, 3933 Washington Ave. Please visit www.rhodesfuneral.com to sign the online guestbook.