Nellie Anne Hymel was born July 17, 1951. to Josepha Brady Hymel and William Hymel, Sr. She grew up in Hahnville, Louisiana, a small town along the Mississippi River. Nellie has two older brothers, Willie (Sonny Boy) and Morris (Rooster) Hymel. She graduated from Hahnville High School in 1969, and married in 1971.During the course of her marriage, she gave birth to four children, Kristin Marie, Kelly Michael, Kalyn Michele, and Keena Monique. Following her divorce, Nellie moved to Lumberton, Texas, in 1994 with her three youngest children and began a new life for herself and her family. Nellie worked multiple jobs until 1996 when she became part of the Broussard’s village, where she remained until her health made it impossible for her to work anymore. She was loved, well – respected, and admired for her tenacity as an employee of Broussard’s.

What began as a part-time secretary with Broussard’s on the weekends, quickly evolved into a management position that influenced how every family was served. With a caring heart, Nellie met with, and held the hands of thousands of families. She grasped the help of technology, and with her affinity for process, she left a permanent mark on how families are served in southeast Texas and beyond. Among other things, she was instrumental in helping to develop the personalized printed Keepsakes and videos that other firms still try to duplicate today. Nellie’s leadership also led Broussard’s to file the first electronic death certificate in Texas, and through the years she volunteered to be a presenter at numerous workshops throughout the state to assist funeral homes, physicians and other certifiers in understanding and operating the Texas Electronic Registrar (T.E.R.). Today, over 99% of all death record filings in Texas are done electronically, and as a result of Nellie’s efforts, Broussard’s has received numerous Five Star recognition awards from the Texas Department of Health Services.

Nellie was supportive of her kid’s many extracurricular activities and interests. Whether it was band and color guard, Spanish club conventions, sports, church youth group, or Keena's passion for the Raiderette dance team, Nellie was there to cheer on her children. She spent many a night at fundraising events, dance classes, recitals, and spring shows. As a Marine Mom, she traveled hundreds of miles multiple times to attend Kelly’s various graduations and to welcome him home from deployment. She even extended her title of “Mom” and her motherly love to Kelly’s Marines by handwriting over thirty Christmas cards for each of his Marine’s while they were deployed to Afghanistan. Her support was unwavering to anything her children ever chose to do. She always believed in her children one hundred percent, and was their biggest fan.

As a longtime resident of Lumberton, Nellie became involved in her church community of Infant Jesus. She wore many caps in her church parish, including youth group director, a member of the pastoral council, and serving in various ways for the ACTS community. After attending an ACTS retreat in 2009, Nellie felt compelled to serve others through her faith.She then served on multiple ACTS retreats, including being named as Director of a retreat in early 2014. Within a few months, Nellie was then asked to join the ACTS core, of which she accepted.Through church and ACTS, she developed many lifelong friendships and grew stronger in her faith.

Over the years, Nellie has affectionately become known as “Nana” to her thirteen grandchildren. Each one of them holds a special and unique place in her heart. No matter the distance, Nellie made it a point to be there for each grandchild’s first few days in this world. She also enjoyed sewing and crocheting various mementos and keepsakes for her grandkids. Much like with her children, Nellie made every attempt to attend her grandchildren’s events; such as baseball games, soccer games, school plays, Kindergarten graduations, baptisms, and so much more.

Nellie also enjoyed traveling with friends and family, whether it was just down the road to a neighboring state or to a whole other country.During the last five years of her life, Nellie traveled to Cancun, Cozumel, and Rome.While in Rome, she witnessed a once in a lifetime event; the election of our current Pope.When asked about her experience, she would say that it was an amazing experience that most people only dream about.

In 2009, Nellie was diagnosed with an ocular melanoma and promptly began treatments at MD Anderson. After surgery and treatment the tumor became dormant until 2013, at which time the cancer was found to have spread to her lungs. Again, Nellie underwent surgery and treatments. In 2015, the cancer had spread again, this time more aggressively into the liver. Nellie decided she would be a part of trial treatments, hoping to find something that would cure melanoma.

On January 27, 2016, after a seven year battle with cancer, God called his soldier home. Nellie fought the battle with grace, courage, dignity, and unwavering faith.Her fight has been an example of hope, faith, and strength to others. She never lost her positive outlook, knowing that whatever was to happen was just part of her journey.

Romans 5:5 “And hope does not disappoint, because the Love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, that has been given to us.”

Nellie is survived by her children Kristin Marie Candies Polito, of Madisonville, Louisiana; Kelly Michael Candies and his wife, Erica, of Quantico, Virginia; Kalyn Michele Candies Moseley and her husband, Meekie, of Lumberton, Texas; and Keena Monique Candies, of Lumberton, Texas; and brothers, Willie J. Hymel, of Abbeville, Louisiana; and Morris P. Hymel and his wife, Sheila, of Hahnville, Louisiana. Nellie also leaves behind thirteen grandchildren.

A Rosary will be recited at 10:00 a.m., with a gathering of Ms. Hymel’s family and friends to follow until 11:30 a.m., Thursday, February 4, 2016, at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, at Infant Jesus Catholic Church, 243 South LHS Drive, Lumberton.

Additional services will be a gathering of her family and friends beginning at 10:00 a.m., with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Friday, February 5, 2016, at Our Lady of The Rosary Catholic Church, 1 Rectory Lane, Hahnville, Louisiana, with her interment to follow at Holy Rosary Cemetery, Taft, Louisiana, under the direction of Broussard’s, Beaumont.