Louis Nailling

Our Daddy left this world on November 12, 2025, at the age of 95, to meet his Savior and those who have gone on before.  He was born in Manchester, Texas to Joseph Otie and Hattie Whittle Nailling, on February 23, 1930.  He was the last of 10 children. He was a member of Leesville Baptist Church and a long-time welder, farmer, and rancher in Red River County.  He built many corrals in the county.

Daddy lost his mother when he was 4 and thus began his hard journey to adulthood.  He stayed with several family members until age 10, when he went to live with Frank Kellum in Tyler. One particular story that Aunt Leona Whittle use to tell was she had a hard time getting him to school because he was too busy to go to school. He wanted to hunt skulls (squrrills), yabbits or fishing. She just couldn't bring herself to whip him because he had big ole tears streaming down his face and no momma.

Dad was married once before, but was short lived and had a daughter, Glenda Jared. Later, Dad met and married Eva in Dallas, Texas, and they married on August 15, 1953, and shared 60 years together before her passing in January 2013. They had three children: Louis Bradley Nailling (deceased), Paul Nailling, Manchester, and Darla and Leon Fleming, Blossom. They shared 6 grandchildren, Bill Jared, Indiana, Tara Davis, Indiana, Jeffrey Jared, Australia, Lisa Chapman, Blossom, Jamie LaComb and spouse Joey, Austin, Jill Erwin and spouse Jake, Paris.  Great-grandchildren include, Claire Erwin, Cameron Erwin, Lauren Richardson, Chase Chapman and spouse Shanlee, Blossom and Maddux LaComb, Austin, including eleven more living elsewhere.  There are also 3 Great-great-grandchildren, Harper Huff, Henley Huff and Axel Dixon.

 Daddy believed in teaching us characteristics.  You can't beat some-one of good character. And, if you can't learn anything you can at least be quiet.

When we arrived in Red River County in 1967, Dad thought we had to have responsibility, So, we had cows, pigs, chickens, milk cow, horses, rabbits, big garden and 10 acres of cucumbers. Needless to say, it wore is city kids out.

One year Dad planted a big crop of corn, and the raccoons were terrible that year, he would camp out there at night trying to scare them off. A friend of ours drew a picture of daddy standing, with his gun, in the middle of the corn field, with the coons running with ears of corn tucked under each arm and one standing with his arms up and the corn all around him. Not sure who won that battle, but the lesson was perseverance.

Some of his favorite things were, listening to the radio, hopefully playing Jerry Clowers, Chet Atkins or Gene Autry. He liked to listen to the old-time preachers on Sunday night, and we would sit around the table and not say a word., and he loved to eat fried fish and shrimp. When we got television, he loved watching westerns usually at high volume. He enjoyed when Brad would bring out his guitar and Darla would play the piano and sing till, we were hoarse. Just don't get on his bad side like slamming the car door too hard or you would have to get out. Don't mistreat his dogs, or kids, or do pranks.

He was sometimes hard to get along with and contrary, but he could also be as gentle as a lamb too. We will miss his story telling and laughter, but we know we will meet again someday, so until then...

Graveside services are, 1:00 p.m., Saturday, November 22, 2025, at Manchester Cemetery with Buddy Owens officiating.

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