Lou Vella Elaine Mangum Zellner, age 86, died peacefully in Ocean Springs, MS on March 10, 2014.
Lou Vella was born in Leesville, Louisiana and was a 1945 graduate of Irving High School, Irving, Texas. She trained as a nurse at the old Biloxi Hospital on Back Bay and graduated at the top of her class. She was part of the original PTO at Oak Park Elementary (formerly East Elementary) in the late 1950-60 era. She served the PTO as President and several other offices as she supported the school many years. She often stated those were the happiest times of her life as she became part of the community of Ocean Springs. Lou Vella was always committed to her family and later took great interest in genealogical research.
Mrs. Zellner was preceded in death by her mother, Pearl Turrey Montgomery Mangum, her father, R.D. Mangum, a brother “Buster” Mangum, a sister, Veda Elenor Mangum Wyatt, and her beloved husband of 49 years, Don O. Zellner. They met their senior year of High School and never separated again. She was a perfect Air Force wife, never complaining, as she followed Don around the globe always making a “home” wherever they went. As long as the family was together; that was “home”.
Mrs. Zellner is survived by her daughter, Linda Anne Zellner Foster (James C. Foster, Jr.); son, Robert W. Zellner “Bob” (Sharon C. Zellner); and three grandchildren, Jaime L. Foster Locknane (Matt Locknane), Todd C. Foster (Julie B. Foster), and Amanda Zellner Yates (Kevin L. Yates). She was a proud great grandmother of six great grandchildren: Erika Marie Coleman, Alexis Ida-Anna Locknane, Rebeka Christina Locknane, Audrey Rune O’Gwynn, Logan Zellner Yates, and Kimber Lillian Locknane.
Services will be held on Thursday, March 13, 2014 at 11am at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home. Friends may visit one hour prior. Interment will follow at Crestlawn Memorial Park.