Nelda Annette Rollins, 92 years of age, of Abilene, Texas, went to be with her Lord and Savior on May 31st, 2022. Nelda passed away following a brief illness, surrounded by her adoring and heartbroken family.Nelda was born on May 5, 1930, in the Wise Chapel Community in Jones County, Texas, to Aaron W. Jobe and Mrs. Flonnie Collins Farmer Jobe. Her parents predeceasedin her as well as her older brother Emil Ray Farmer, her younger brother, Wallace Aaron Jobe, her niece Robin Annette Slabaugh, and her great-nephew Logan Tye Jobe.Nelda’s family moved to West Texas when she was in the eighth grade. She graduated from New Home High School in May 1947, and she enrolled in Texas Tech College the following September. Nelda graduated from Texas Tech in May 1951 with a bachelor’s degree in Secretarial Administration. She received her master’s degree in Education from Tech in 1955.During the summer of 1951, Nelda’s parents were contacted by the Superintendent of the Cooper ISD asking if she would be interested in teaching School. In September she started teaching at Cooper High School where she taught business courses for two years. In 1953 she became an elementary and then a business teacher in the Lubbock ISD where she taught for 43 years at Wheelock Elementary, Lubbock High and Mackenzie Junior High School. Nelda was a “born to be” teacher. She loved all her students wholeheartedly and wept when it was time to retire in 1994. As a Vocational Office Education teacher for 25 years at Lubbock High School, her students won many honors on Area, State, and National levels.As a teacher, Nelda was very active in professional organizations. Among her activities, she served as president of the Lubbock Classroom Teachers Association, secretary and membership chairperson of District 17 Texas State Teachers Association, and president of the Vocational Office Education Teachers Association of Texas which honored her as Teacher of the Year. She was also honored as Teacher of the Year for the five state Regional Vocational and Business Teachers. In 2002 Nelda was inducted into the Texas Business and Technology Educators Association Hall of Honor.After her retirement, Nelda became a member of the Lubbock Women’s Club where she served on the Board for two years as Corresponding Secretary and as Recording Secretary. She became very active in ARCS (Achievement Rewards for College Scientists) where she served on several Committees and as Corresponding Secretary. She was an active member of the Lubbock Study Club for a number of years.In 1979 Nelda married Thomas J. Rollins. Together they were involved in many activities and organizations. Most of their time was dedicated to Texas Tech and its activities. Tom passed away on May 15, 2007. Following his death, Nelda moved to Abilene in 2010 to be near family.Nelda was both a friend and mentor to all who knew her. Her family, her students, and her friends all benefited from their association with her. She especially loved her family and was a rock-solid foundation for the entire family. To know her was to love her. She is most certainly enjoying His presence even now and thrilled to be back together with friends and loved ones who had preceded her to Heaven.Nelda is survived by Keith Witt and Hoylene Slabaugh, both of Abilene, Texas. As well as five nieces and nephews and nine great-nieces and nephews.Memorial services celebrating the life of Nelda will be at 2:00 PM on Monday, June 6th, 2022 at First United Methodist Church, 202 Butternut, Abilene, Texas. Her pastor, Rev. Scott Seymour, will be officiating at the Memorial Service. There will be a graveside service at Resthaven Cemetery in Lubbock, Texas on Tuesday, June 7, 2022, at 2:00 PM. We invite you to sign her virtual guestbook here on this page.
