Brenda Nebling passed away Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024, in Altus Okla., after a long battle with dementia-related illnesses.
She was a devoted mother and wife, giving her all to her family’s well-being. She loved nothing more than joking and teasing her kids and her husband. The Nebling household was full of laughter because of her and her husband. As such, her children grew up with quick senses of humor and “slight” smart-aleck streaks. Apples and trees, as the saying goes.
When grandchildren began entering her life, she became a doting grandmother who did her best to spoil those kids. She didn’t care how they became her grandkids — either biological or through marriage, it didn’t matter — she loved them all equally and was always happy to spend time with them.
Brenda was a longtime journalist in the Altus area, working as a proofreader, women’s editor, news editor at the then Altus Times-Democrat and finally as managing editor at The Altus Times. She left the paper to enter civil service and become editor of Altus Air Force Base’s The Galaxy and later The Patriot newspaper. Through her many years in newspapers, Brenda was well-known throughout the community and newspaper industry.
She retired a few years after the death of her husband and remained in Altus where she enjoyed visiting her children and grandchildren, various hobbies and crafts, shopping at thrift stores and caring for her many small dogs.
She was born Brenda Lee Faulkner on May 8, 1943, in Dublin, Texas. Her parents were Mack and Myrtle Faulkner. She had two younger brothers, Ronnie and Phillip Faulkner she was immensely proud of. The family lived in various Texas towns while she was growing up, including Haskell and Graham. She graduated high school from Graham High School. Following graduation the family moved to Wichita Falls, Texas. She worked as a phone switchboard operator for Southwestern Bell and enjoyed attending her brother’s various school football, baseball and basketball games.
She met Fremont J. Nebling Jr., an airman stationed at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls and began dating him. Brenda’s father teased the young airman he always seemed to show up at the family’s house at dinner time and began calling him “Freddie” after the popular Red Skelton character Freddie the Freeloader.
Brenda and Freddie married Nov. 19, 1961, in Wichita Falls. Following the birth of her first son in 1962, John Nebling, Brenda left her job and became a stay-at-home mother. A second son, Fremont J. Nebling III (Monte) was born in 1964 while the family was stationed at Grand Forks Air Force Base in Grand Forks, N.D. Her daughter, Deborah Nebling, was born in 1966 in Grand Forks.
The family moved to Altus where Freddie was assigned by the Air Force. After Freddie received orders to Thailand during the Vietnam War, Brenda and the kids returned to Wichita Falls to be closer to family. After Freddie’s return from Thailand, he was again stationed at Altus and the family returned to Altus. After Debbie began kindergarten, Brenda returned to the workforce as a proofreader at the Altus Times-Democrat.
In subsequent Air Force assignments overseas and stateside, the couple decided Brenda would remain in Altus with the kids as she and Freddie liked the schools and town, feeling the stability was important for their children. It also allowed Brenda to continue working the job she loved at the newspaper.
She was preceded in death by her husband Fremont J. (Fred) Nebling Jr. of Altus; her parents of Wichita Falls; brother Phillip Faulkner of Burkburnett Texas; father- and mother-in-law Fremont J. and Katherine Taylor Nebling of Farmington, Mo., and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
She is survived by sons John Nebling and Rebecca McGowen of Fayetteville, Ark.; Monte Nebling and wife Vickie of Altus; daughter Debbie Nebling Parks of Altus; and brother Ronnie Faulkner and wife Cynthia of Wichita Falls.
Grandchildren include Christopher Nebling of Marion, Ill., Brett Nebling of Bella Vista, Ark., Clara Smith and husband Ross of Rogers, Ark., Elizabeth Brown of Gentry, Ark., Mary Grace and Skyler Lowell of Rogers, Seth Nebling of Rogers, Alex McGowen and fiancé Danielle Salamo of Springdale, Ark., Zach McGowen of Fayetteville, Andi McGowen of Fayetteville, Jerrod Williams and wife Misty of Altus; Justyn Williams of Eureka, Calif., Fremont J. (Buddy) Nebling IV and wife Jamie of San Antonio, Texas; Jeana Riley and fiancé Paul Garetson of Norman, Okla., Jenna Garcia and husband Dane of Bonney Lake, Wash., Bekah Whiteside and husband Jasper of Fargo, N.D., Jace Parks of Altus.
Great grandchildren are Emery Smith and Elena Smith of Rogers, MaKenna Chesnut of Gentry, Kelsey Nebling of Joplin, Mo., Violet Lowell of Rogers, Kanyon Weldon of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Karson Weldon and McKenzie of Altus, Kreede Weldon of Oklahoma City, Hunter Williams and Hope Williams of Altus; Steven Williams and wife Brandy of Altus, Jack Williams and Olivia Williams of Altus; Jessica Villarreal, Jaylene Villarreal and Jacob Nebling, all of San Antonio, Jamey Riley, Lilli Garetson and Wes Garetson, all of Norman, Kandice and Tyler Kosyan of Moore, Okla., Gracie Riley of Moore, Liam Garcia, Lilian Garcia and Luca Garcia, all of Bonney Lake, and Aubrey Whiteside and Thora Whiteside of Fargo; and six great great grandchildren.
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27
Aug
1100 E. Tamarack Road
Altus, OK 73521
