Mary Nelson's Obituary
Mary Frances Hare Nelson, age 87, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 3, 2017. The third beautiful daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Reid Hare was born in Memphis on November 12, 1930. Graduated from Treadwell H.S. in 1948, she attended Memphis State University earning a B.S. in 1952. Mary Frances was selected for Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges and was a member of Phi Mu sorority. After graduation she joined Layne and Bowler, Inc. where she met the love of her life, Dallas.In 1973, Mary Frances obtained her M.A. in Linguistics at Memphis State University where she was inducted into the Mortar Board. She embarked upon a career in education teaching Spanish, French, and English at several Memphis high schools including East H.S., where she also taught adult education computer classes. She retired in May 1996.In addition to being a loving wife, daughter, sister, friend, and mother of four children, Mrs. Nelson enjoyed bridge, gardening, sewing beautiful home décor and clothing, walking, attending Little Theatre Memphis and Dixon Garden events, many memorable trips with her husband, genealogy research, accounting classes and cooking. In retirement, she continued to be active in the Kingswood Class at Christ Methodist, the DAR, Colonial Dames, the English Speaking Union, and the BathHouse Beauties. Mary will be remembered for her enthusiasm for learning, her boundless energy, and a huge bright smile that she generously shared with everyone.Preceded in death by her husband of almost fifty years, Dallas Eugene Nelson, her daughter, Laura Trent, of Nashville, TN, and her sister Bettye Reid McCarley of Tulsa, OK. Survived by her son Kent Nelson, of Orlando, FL, and her daughters Cheryl Snider, of Colorado Springs, CO, and Valerie Staublin, of Chicago, IL, three son-in-laws Tom, Jon and Mark, and her sister Jeannese Fincher. “Mary Mom” is also survived by nine grandchildren: Lauren, Valerie, Alex, Kevin, Erik, Vivian, Michael, Caroline and John, and two great grandchildren.Visitation will be held from 12 to 1 PM, Saturday, December 9th in the East Foyer of the sanctuary at Christ Methodist Church where Mrs. Nelson had been a member since 1958. Service immediately following with burial at Memorial Park. The family requests that memorials be sent to Christ Methodist Church or the Alzheimer’s Association (research).
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