Felicia A. DeFord
Last Updated on January 25, 2025 by Cass County Communication Network
Felicia A. DeFord, 80 of Logansport, Indiana, passed away Tuesday, January 21, 2025, with her family by her side, in the IU Arnett Hospital, Lafayette.
Born July 22, 1944, in Key West, Florida, she was the daughter of the late Bennie Pierce Poole and Imogene Olivia (Phillips) Poole.
Her father’s career building interstate highways led Felicia on the adventure of attending 34 schools before her graduation from Arundel High School in Gambrills, Maryland.
Her first job was at the National Security Agency as a cryptanalyst breaking codes during the Vietnam War. One day, while walking down the hallway at work, she ran into a young man she had met at church, Jerry DeFord. They didn’t even know they both worked at the NSA – but God did. On November 13, 1965, in Laurel, Maryland, she and Jerry were united in marriage. They settled in Logansport and Felicia, at last, had a hometown the rest of her life.
For 42 years, Felicia provided childcare – the first nine years in their home. As the daycare grew, the couple purchased, “Nina & Poppy’s Place” at the corner of 22nd and Spear Streets. As their “Nina”, Felicia touched the lives of countless children and provided invaluable support to their parents, becoming a cherished and integral part of the community through her dedicated daycare services in her home – filled with laughter, learning and love. In a ripple effect, she helped raise half the kids in Logansport as many of her clients were teachers’ children, which allowed them to teach hundreds of others -knowing their children were in the best of care.
As a loving wife and devoted mother, Felicia embodied the characteristics of a Proverbs 31 woman. Her love for Jesus was her strength and the Hillcrest Baptist Church congregation was an extension of her family. There, she taught Sunday School and used her time and talent to glorify God. She also enjoyed playing the piano, puzzles, and playing on a bowling league.
Surviving with her husband of nearly 60 years, Jerry L DeFord, are daughters and sons-in-law, Michelle and Sean Beimfohr, Lafayette, Darlene and Eric Rogers, Indianapolis, and Sharon and Tom St. Clair, Logansport; her beloved grandchildren, Cory, Rena, Ethan, Justin, Tyler, Caleb, Sarah, Ben, Emma, Erin, Evan and Lauren; and her precious great-grandchildren, Talon, Xavier, Kavon, Delyla, Blakeley and Micah.
She was preceded in death by her siblings, Mary Kathryn McLaughlin and Billie Poole.
Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, January 30 in Fisher Funeral Chapel, Logansport. and one hour prior to the service on Friday, January 31.
A Celebration of Life will take place at 11 a.m. Friday, January 31 in Fisher Funeral Chapel where all who were impacted by her love are invited to come celebrate a life well-lived. Pastor Carl Lendermon will officiate at the service.
Burial will follow in the Metea Baptist Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Hillcrest Baptist Church to further the children’s ministries that Felicia loved so much.
You may share memories and photos and offer condolences on Felicia’s Tribute Wall at www.fisherfuneralchapel.com.