Nira Joyce Nelson, 82, of Elizabethton, went to Heaven to be reunited with her husband, Carl Nelson Sr., on Saturday, August 6, 2016, at Johnson City Medical Center. Mrs. Nelson was born in Carter County, a daughter of the late John Smith and Lillie Estep Smith. In addition to her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Angela Marie Nelson.
Mrs. Nelson raised her family in Vandalia, Ohio, and was a homemaker who enjoyed quilting, sewing and working with her flowers. She also loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was of the Church of Christ faith.
Those left to cherish her memory include a daughter and son-in-law, Lori Nelson-Battson and her husband, Todd, Piqua, Ohio; two sons, Carl Nelson Jr. of Texas, and John Nelson, of the home; her grandchildren, Zane Grieselhuber, Raini Highley and her husband, Greg, Lillie Nelson-Battson, Ty Battson, Kayla Battson and Carla Gentis and her husband, Dan; her great-grandchildren, Rowan Gentis, Declan Gentis and Trinity Jo Battson; a sister, Clara Smith and her husband, Norman, Orlando, Fla.; a sister-in-law, Alta Lee, Knoxville, Tenn.; and a brother-in-law, Elmer “Bud” Nelson, Clinton, Tenn. Several nieces, nephews and extended family members also survive, as well as her companions, her dogs, Riley and Ronnie, and her best friend, Patty Graham.
A service to honor the life of Mrs. Nelson was conducted on Monday, August 8, at 1 p.m. in the Riverside Chapel of Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, with Rev. Bill Younce officiating. The family received friends in the funeral home chapel from noon until 1 p.m. Monday prior to the service. The committal service followed the funeral service at Happy Valley Memorial Park. Active pallbearers were selected from family and friends. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Jaishankar and the nurses and staff of Johnson City Medical Center for all the love and care shown to Mrs. Nelson and her family. Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 2335 Knob Creek Road, #101, Johnson City, TN 37604. Online condolences may be shared with the family at our website, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com.
Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, is serving the Nelson family. Office: (423) 542-2232. Obituary Line: (423) 543-4917.