Zelda Grace Middleton

Heaven rejoiced on Sunday, December 21, as our beloved mother joined the alto section, greeted by family celebrating with shouts of joy. 

Zelda Grace Rawls Middleton was just days away from reaching the grand age of 95. She was born on January 13, 1931, to Robert and Nettie Rawls in Marthaville, Louisiana. After attending Louisiana College for three years, she married the love of her life, Robert Raymond Middleton. 

Their married life began in the oil fields of South Louisiana and South Texas. In five short years, they made 33 moves. After a serious accident left Raymond unable to work again, they returned home to the land they had purchased in Marthaville, where they built their life together. They were long-standing members of Bethany Baptist Church. 

One of the greatest ways Mother showed her love was through her cooking. She fed a big family with a joyful heart, welcoming everyone to her table for legendary Sunday dinners that brought generations together. Her kitchen was a place of comfort, laughter, and belonging. Her pies were especially loved—so much so that when asked for a recipe, she would simply smile and say, “Pie fixes everything.” And of course, there were her famous 13-day pickles—a family tradition and a labor of love that can’t truly be explained. You just had to be there. 

Those awaiting Mother—known by most as “Mother,” and by her grandchildren as “Nanny”—include her parents, Robert and Nettie Rawls; her sisters, Ruby Trader and Bobbie Salley; her brother, Nuel Rawls; her husband of more than 70 years, Raymond Middleton; her first great-grandchild, Taylor Cole Nelson; and a nephew who was almost like a son to her, Stanley Hahn. 

Zelda is survived by her children, Beth Middleton Nelson (Jim) of Marthaville and Rod Middleton (Lynndel) of Longville, Louisiana; her grandchildren, Katie Nelson Arthur (Monty) of Marthaville, Christina Nelson Johnson (Josh) of Natchitoches, Cody Nelson (Tricia) of Marthaville, Lauren Middleton Beckemeyer (Chad) of Dickinson, Texas, and Hunter Middleton (John) of Indio, California. 

She also leaves behind ten great-grandchildren: Tucker Arthur (Kilee), Anna Kate Arthur, Cooper Johnson, Cole Johnson, Cannon Johnson, Matson Nelson, Adrian Nelson, Stagg Beckemeyer, Maclynn Beckemeyer, and Lottie Beckemeyer. 

Pallbearers who will carry Nanny to her final resting place between Raymond and Taylor in Marthaville are Cody Nelson, Matson Nelson, Cooper Johnson, Cole Johnson, Cannon Johnson, Tucker Arthur, Stagg Beckemeyer, and Chad Beckemeyer. 

The family would like to thank Natchitoches Community Care for the care given to Nanny. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home, P.O. Box 4196, Monroe, Louisiana 71211.

Funeral services for Zelda Middleton will be held on Sunday, December 28, 2025 at 2 pm at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Marthaville Cemetery. The family will receive friends for a visitation on Sunday from 12 noon until 2.