NASHVILLE, TENN–The Christian publishing industry lost a colleague and friend when Laura Kendall, long time editor for Word Publishing and Thomas Nelson, died this week in Nashville, Tennessee.  Laura had retired from Thomas Nelson in 2005, after two decades of editing books by bestselling Christian authors including Max Lucado, Billy Graham, Ruth Bell Graham, Anne Graham Lotz, Charles Swindoll, Barbara Johnson and Tony Campolo.  She was still providing freelance editorial services and consultation from her home in Nashville until last week.  Laura fought a brief battle with pneumonia and went to be with her Lord on September 2.  She is survived by two nieces and two nephews and many who counted Laura as a spiritual sister and devoted friend.

Laura Kendall was born in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1938.  She earned three degrees including a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology (Mercer University, Macon, GA), a Bachelors of Divinity (Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary) and a Masters in Sacred Music (Northwestern University).  She worked as a voice teacher and then as an account executive for publicity agency Hahn Crane and Associates in Evanston, IL.  She joined Word Publishing (Waco, TX) in 1978 as Director of Publicity and soon moved into an editorial role, eventually earning the title of Senior Editor.  Ernie Owen, former Publisher at Word, recalls Laura’s unique gift: “Many authors owe a debt of gratitude to Laura.  She had an uncanny sense or feeling for dealing with people and manuscripts.” Laura continued to serve Word and its authors when the publishing company moved to Dallas and later to Nashville (as a division of Thomas Nelson).  She officially retired in 2005 but continued working as a freelance editor and consultant.  Beyond sharing her professional skills, Laura shared her heart with authors and colleagues alike, and her presence will be missed as both an editor and a friend.

Laura was recognized for her professional expertise but also for many personal talents and graces treasured by her friends.  She possessed a trained soprano voice and sang with her choir at Glendale Baptist and was known for her elegance, her love of music, and what one friend called “her daily loveliness.”

A memorial service in Nashville is being planned for later in September.  Cards and letters for the family may be sent care of Debbie Nichols at Thomas Nelson, Inc. (Post Office Box 141000, Nashville, TN 37214).

Contact:
Pamela McClure
pamela@mmpublicrelations.com
615-595-8321

This entry was posted on Friday, September 4th, 2009 at 1:34 pm and is filed under Corporate Releases, Human Resources. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.