Submitted by: Dan Rich

Nedra L. Redding

Dec. 13, 1936 - Sept. 11, 2008

South Bend Tribune 9/16/2008
SOUTH BEND - Nedra L. Redding, 71, was the 7th of nine children born to George and Florence Jones Lanton in Carriers Mill, IL, both parents preceding her in death. She graduated from Carriers Mill High School and attended Southern Illinois University and Indiana University, South Bend. In 1956 Nedra married Richard Murray and two children were born, Nedra LeAnn, deceased, and Lesa M., who survives. In 1963 she married Edgar Redding Jr., now deceased, and one child was born, Stacey Lynn, deceased. Also deceased are one infant brother, sisters and brothers-in-law, Velma Sumner, Willa Williams and her husband, Martin, Peggy Beard and her husband, Charles, Joyce Green and her husband, Morris Jr., John Bell Sr. and Richard Drue; a nephew, Morris Green III; and a great-nephew, Sean Green. Surviving in addition to Lesa are three grandchildren who Nedra raised, Damone, David and Danielle Murray; five great-grandchildren, Amani, Ashton, Damone Jr., Amond and Davianna Murray. Further surviving family members are sisters, Nola J. Bell of South Bend, Boneva Morgan and her husband, Raymond of Roswell, GA, and Carolyn Drue of Carriers Mill, IL; nephew same as brother, Ronald Williams and his wife, Jeannine; nieces, Consuelo Williams, Sherry Nether and Victoria Williams, Karen Bell, Alita Plump and Angela Green, Hilary Beard, Alison Beard and Denise Drue; and nephews, John Bell Jr., Jonathan Beard, Richard Drue Jr., Brian Dru, Jeffrey Morgan and Douglas Morgan. Further surviving are great-nieces and nephews, cousins, friends and a brother-in-law, Allen Redding, and a sister-in-law, Juanita Harvell.

After marrying Richard, she moved to San Diego, CA, where she resided for four years and then made a decision to move to South Bend to be close to family as her daughter was only nine months old. While residing in South Bend, Nedra always looking to better herself, worked at Notre Dame, Studebaker, Bendix Missile, Chevrolet Motor Division Zone Office and finally at AM General from where she retired after 25 years of service. Nedra became a member of St. John Missionary Baptist Church in 1968 and was a past usher, worked in the kitchen, attended Bible study, sang and directed the Gospel Chorus, and was a trustee as long as she was able. Beside being a Christian, she loved her involvement in the music department the most. Nedra had a lot of fun in her life. She laughed a lot and though she was quite funny with some of her comments and quips. She loved to bowl but quit when she got tired of paying her money to have the ball beat her. She made a lot of friends and enjoyed them very much. She especially enjoyed talked to her best friend, Allene McMorris, from whom she received much wisdom and knowledge.