Stanley Skylar Nelson

Stanley Skylar Nelson came into this world on September 18, 1955, and passed from this world at the age of 69 on June 5, 2025. The first-born son of Jesse Nelson, Jr. and Emma Sanson Nelson, Stanley was raised and spent most of his life in the small rural community of Cash Bayou in Catahoula Parish, Louisiana.

A graduate of the 1977 class of Louisiana Tech University, Nelson spent the remainder of his days dedicated to uncovering historical truths and preserving journalistic integrity. As the retired long-time editor of the Concordia Sentinel, Stanley was best known for his many years of unwavering dedication to shedding light on criminal injustices of the civil rights era. His works brought closure to so many hurting families across the South who thought time had forgotten them and their pain. His reports on cold cases from the 1960s in Louisiana and Mississippi earned him a finalist nomination of the Pulitzer Prize in 2011. Nelson would follow up this already incredible accomplishment with two published books from LSU Press as well as going on to help mentor and instruct hundreds of future journalists, researchers, and honest storytellers.

It is hard to define a man who was larger than life itself. How do you summarize nearly seven decades of a legacy that paved the way for good and touched so many? Stanley Nelson was bold, determined, and fearless. He was a humble hero, a truth teller, and a good man. Stanley was a warrior and the written word his sword. Most importantly though, he was a father, brother, counselor and friend. He led a life that was bigger and more incredible than most of us could ever hope to live. The proof is in those who he has left behind. The wake of his absence has rattled this Earth and been felt across every corner.

Stanley was preceded in death by his father Jesse Nelson, Jr. and his mother Emma Sanson Nelson. Among those left to carry his memory are his children and grandchildren, daughter- Tessa Granger and her husband Todd of DeRidder, LA and son Nick Nelson of Alexandria, LA and his wife Samantha, two grandsons- Seth Granger and Ben Nelson, as well as two granddaughters- Bella Granger and Jordyn Nelson; his dear companion Nancy Burnham of DeRidder, LA; his brother Mark Nelson of Clayton, LA and his wife Irene Nelson; two nieces- Stephanie Ashley of Bossier City, LA and Marcie Nelson of Quitman, LA; one great nephew Colin Thibodeaux of Bossier City, LA; and the thousands of friends and loved ones who will miss him dearly. May we all continue to carry forth his mission; fighting for truth and righteousness in a world that now holds one less vibrant light.

Visitation services for Stanley Nelson will be held at Myers-Colonial Funeral Home in DeRidder, LA on Sunday, June 8 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Funeral services will be on Sunday, June 8 at 1:00 pm at Myers-Colonial Funeral Home with graveside service to follow at Beauregard Cemetery in DeRidder, LA. Pallbearers will be a representation of Stanley's family and friends. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made in Stanley’s memory to one of the following: Faith Baptist Church (Clayton, LA), the Manship School of Mass Communication-Journalism (Louisiana State University), the School of Communication-Journalism (Louisiana Tech University), or the Concordia Parish Library (Ferriday, LA).