Former longtime editor for Word Publishing and Thomas Nelson Laura Kendall died of pneumonia Sept. 2 in Nashville. She was 71.

Kendall retired from Nelson in 2005 after two decades of editing books by best-selling 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 recently, Nelson officials said.

Kendall joined Word Publishing in Waco, Texas in 1978 as director of publicity and soon moved into an editorial role, eventually earning the title of senior editor.

"Many authors owe a debt of gratitude to Laura," recalled Ernie Owen, former publisher of Word. "She had an uncanny sense or feeling for dealing with people and manuscripts."

Kendall continued to serve Word when the publishing company moved to Dallas and later to Nashville as a division of Nelson. A memorial service in Nashville is being planned for later in September.

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