Mary Eliza Nelson age 101, went home to be with the Lord on April 23, 2020.

Mary Eliza Nelson was born in Senatobia, Mississippi on November 26, 1918.  She was the daughter of Walter Allen and Mary McNeil Allen.  Mary left home after grade school and moved to Memphis, TN and attended Booker T. Washington high school.  Mary confessed a hope in Christ at an early age.  As a child, she had a conversion experience that had a profound effect on her life that resulted in ever increasing faith and love for God until her last breath.

In April 1939 she married Isaiah Nelson, Jr. To this union seven children were born: Clifton, Claude, Vertis, Curtis, Clyde Nelson, Shirley Nelson, and Donzella Landry.

In 1945 she joined the Olivet Institutional Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Eugene Ward, and later joined Bethel Baptist Church under Pastor Lee.  In 1961 she joined Mt. Moriah Baptist Church under Rev. William Brown and has been a faithful member ever since.  She joined the Missionary Society and was the President of the Mission for 25 years.  It was a labor of love that nourished her soul while working on behalf of many who were in dire straits.  Whatever was needed, she would try to provide—food, clothing, curtains, toilet paper, and spiritual sustenance.

Her missionary work exceeded far beyond the duties of the church in that she touched the heart of everyone who met her.  Having a conversation with her was much like talking to a lawyer and a preacher and a comedian all rolled into one.  After all the questions were asked and answered she would know exactly how to pray for you.  And if you came to her with a heavy heart, you would leave with your spirit lifted and laughing about something that she shared.

Those who knew her were blessed by her ministry of love.  Once she met you, there was no turning back.  She was a friend for life and no matter how much time passed between visits, she would pick up where things left off and ask about the kids (by name), or a spouse, or work, or whatever the two of you had last discussed.  She loved and respected ex-girlfriends and boyfriends of her children like there had never been a breakup.  She was a bridge builder and understood the value of relationships.  No one was a stranger.

She loved to cook, and people would always call her to see what she had in the oven and then they would stop by for a bite to eat. There was always enough.  If they were passing thru from out of town, they knew to stop by for a meal before leaving.  Homemade biscuits and gravy, macaroni & cheese, corn bread, and turkey and dressing were a few dishes she was known for.

Being born in 1918 in the midst of the Spanish Flu Pandemic and departing this earth in 2020 in the midst of the Corona Virus Pandemic, gives cause to pause. Her faith allowed her to endure many sorrows and her hope brought her face-to-face with victories she could never have imagined witnessing.  To have lived with the remnants of slavery, the struggle for civil rights, and the relentless scourge of racism throughout her 100 years is daunting.  Subsequently, it was glorious for her to experience the election of our first Black President, Barack Obama.

On April 23^, 2020, Mary passed from this life into eternity, and on this same day April 23,1939, she  married the love of her life Isaiah, who departed this life on June 23, 1986 after 47 years of marriage, and this would have been their 81^st Wedding Anniversary

Mary was preceded in death by her parents and twelve siblings.

She leaves to cherish her memories to seven loving children: Clifton (Anna), Claude, Vertis, Curtis, Clyde Nelson, Shirley Nelson, and Donzella Landry, one sister, Katherine McIntyre; six grandchildren, Eric Nelson, Paul Riley, Daesonn Landry, Tori Nelson (Shauna), Xavier Nelson-Manuel, Naomi Nelson-Manuel; seven great grandchildren, two great, great grandchildren, and a host of relatives and friends.