Gwen Nelson

Gwen Nelson, age 88, of Scroggins, Texas, passed away Saturday, June 27, in Winnsboro, Texas surrounded by her family.

Mrs. Nelson was born to Roy and Lady Jo Wright and grew up in McKinney, Texas. Following high school, she married and had three daughters. She and her family resided in the Dallas, Texas area for 25 years. She was an active member at Lake Highlands Baptist Church. She was involved in the music ministry and was a youth choir director. She enjoyed a wonderful career as an executive secretary at Texas Instruments where she eventually retired from. She met the love of her life, Elmer Nelson.

Elmer and Gwen spent the last 37 years enjoying traveling in the Merry Miler, reading, sports and their lake house. Gwen had many hobbies which included music, art, gardening, photography, sewing and nature. She was a volunteer at the Hospital in Winnsboro, Texas for more than 25 years. She was also a member in a book club and sewing club. She was a devoted member of the First Baptist Church of Pittsburg for many years as well as the Friendship Sunday School class. Gwen loved God, Elmer, her family, her friends and life. She had a contagious personality and an infectious smile. She was a devout Christian with an unwavering faith in Christ. Gwen was a shining example of walking the walk, accentuating the positive and she never met a stranger.

Mrs. Nelson is survived by her loving husband, Elmer Nelson; daughter, Dawn Miller; stepsons, David Nelson and wife Elaine, Donald Nelson and wife Sue and Richard Nelson and wife Vicky; stepdaughters, Randi Weaver and husband Buddy and Suzi Nelson; three sons-in-law, Sam Rice, Mike Harper and Jan Ryden; Grandchildren: Gina Gaglia and husband Dennis, Tony Rice and wife Tonya, Samantha Robison and husband Eric, Dustin Hamilton and Dalton Hamilton, Brad Ryden and wife Nancy, Eric Ryden and wife Dawn, Jena Benik and husband Joe, Lori Vermeer and husband Michael, Brandi Dalhquist and husband Jeremy, Kevin Nelson and wife Lisa, Shirlee Taylor and husband Chris, Christine Garrett and husband Geoff, Jayson Nelson and wife Stephanie. Great-grandchildren, AJ Gaglia, Ava Rice, Jackson Robison, Elyse Ryden, Alex Ryden, Sydney Garrett, Justin Ryden, Jennifer Ryden, Katie Benik, Noah Taylor, Morgan Taylor, Cyrek Nelson, Tynan Nelson and Ashlyn Vermeer. Great-great-grandchild, Jenabee Ryden and also six step-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Lady Jo Wright; two daughters, Melody Rice and Rebelanne Harper; two sisters, Margie Justice and Dorothy Wright and a step-daughter, Sandra Ryden.

Donations may be made to the Gideon Bible Company, P.O. Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214 or http://www.gideons.org/sendtheword in honor of Gwen Nelson or to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, in honor of Gwen Nelson and Julia Brown, North Texas Chapter, 8111 LBJ Freeway, Suite 425, Dallas, Texas 75251 or online at www.lls.org/ntx.