Patsy Darlene Nelson's Obituary
Patsy Darlene Nelson, 70, of Columbia passed into eternity on Wednesday, August 3, 2011 at her home. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, August 9, 2011 at 1:00 PM at St. Luke United Methodist Church. Burial in Log Providence Cemetery. Visitation will be held Monday, August 8 from 5-7 pm at the H.T. May and Son Funeral Home.
Patsy Nelson was born December 18, 1940 in Columbia, Mo., the daughter of Jessie Edwards and Luella Williams.
. She was the sixth child of eleven. Patsy loved the Lord and had a very special and unique relationship with him. This relationship allowed her to make it through the storm when anyone else would have given up.
The Lord carried her through the storm because Patsy is his child.
Patsy graduated from Hickman High School in 1958, being part of one of the first graduating integrated classes. Patsy had a very strong work ethic; she started working for the University of Missouri in 1956. She began her career at the Medical Center; she then went on to work at Dobbs Hall until her retirement in 2000 after working for 44 years. Patsy only took off to have her children and was back at work exactly six weeks later. In 2001 Patsy went back to work at Dobbs Hall from 2001 to 2007. She said, “This is it…for real this time.” In all Patsy worked for the University of Missouri-Columbia for 50 years.
Patsy was an avid Missouri fan. She would listen to away games on the radio if she couldn’t watch them on TV. She loved football and basketball. In 2010, several MU football players signed a football and presented it as a gift to her. This was a highlight for Patsy.
Patsy was loved by not just her family but the community as whole for her famous potato salad. She was a master when it came to her potato salad and no one but her sister Dorothy Jean could duplicate the recipe.
Patsy loved spending time with her family and never missed a gathering at all. She was the aunt that her nephews all knew loved them whole heartedly. The nieces all knew that they were loved, but Patsy really wanted to make sure that the nephews knew they were special to her. Her grandsons and nephews knew that Patsy would always welcome them to her home. Because of her love for them Patsy had several nick names. She was called Nana Bell, PT, Peter Roll, Aunt Pat and of course Grandma. She always answered to them all with a smile and a shake of her leg while sitting in her favorite chair. Patsy had a special relationship with her great nephew Thomas (Babe). Whenever he would get ready to get her McDonalds, she would call out, “Tom…two!” putting up two fingers so he would know what she really wanted. This would make everyone laugh.
On December 14, 1954, Patsy married Louis C. Nelson Sr. and to this union five children were born: Cynthia Renee, Louis C. Jr. (Butchie), Trina Ann, Kimberly Shontell and Jessica Marie.
Patsy will be missed by all of her grandchildren: Taquashia, Antonio Sr., Russon, Wesley, Tervin, Arreal, Avery, Ke’Von, Caron, John Jr., Joniqua, Trevon, Jerrion, Jalazia, Jalaya, and Mikayka. Her great grandchildren: Antonio Jr., Ronell Jr., Shaundrea, Aviyah and two on the way.
Her brothers and sisters: James (Ann) Edwards, Grand Rapids, Michigan and Thomas, (Mary) Edwards, California, Edith (June) Prince, Columbia, MO., Wanda Incle, Blue Springs, Mo., and Vickie (Gene) Battles, Columbia, Mo. Sister-in-law Cecilia Hicks, Columbia, Mo.
Several nieces and nephews, cousins and close friends. Too numerous to name;
but all loved Patsy.
Patsy was proceeded in death by her eldest child, Wesley Rondel Edwards; Mother and Father; brothers, George Earl “Turt”, Roscoe Harvey, and Roy Hicks; sisters, Mary Evelyn Cross and Dorothy Jean Rowles. Nephews, George “Stink” Edwards, Larry Gene Hicks and Thomas “Babe” Simmons. Aunts, uncles and cousins.
What’s your fondest memory of Patsy?
What’s a lesson you learned from Patsy?
Share a story where Patsy's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Patsy you’ll never forget.
How did Patsy make you smile?