Ms. Carmen Iris Nelson

Carmen was born in Carbondale, Illinois in the Great Depression year of 1929, and she went out as the COVID-19 pandemic subsided. She was the youngest of five siblings, the longest-lived of them, all the family of a Methodist minister and his wife, the church organist. Although shy by nature, she was a friend to those in need and found purpose and joy in helping others. Meals on Wheels, Autism Society president, elementary school librarian, and later, a tutor, were some of the many roles she had. She was a McKendree College (IL) graduate in elementary education before she married Bill Nelson on Valentine's Day. They soon had two sons. In 1958, they moved to Tallahassee, where Bill joined the Florida State University Physics department. There they made many lifelong friends over the years. Back then she was not above dressing up as a witch on Halloween complete with a blacked-out tooth to startle us little kids. Four years, from 1963-1966, were spent in Manhattan, Kansas. Toward the end of this stay we all huddled under a table in the basement as a tornado passed over our house, lifting the roof off of a house across the street and leaving us without electricity for more than a week. The family returned to Tallahassee in 1966. Carmen earned a Master's degree in Library Science at FSU. She became the media specialist at Chaires Elementary School and oversaw the transition to computer systems for indexing and multimedia presentations. Her nurturing, encouragement and setting an example of education and hard work were the underpinnings of the success of her two sons, Alan and Ron. Her planning, preparation and good fortune in finding able and loving caretakers has provided a stable environment and good quality of life for her disabled daughter, Nancy. Many memorable vacations were spent on St George Island with her children and grandchildren. She and Bill travelled and learned on trips to Croatia, Slovenia, Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Costa Rica, and via Concorde to London returning on the ocean liner QE-II. She was a 20-year survivor of breast cancer and a knee replacement operation. Life Exercise classes and her many friends at the Tallahassee Senior Center helped her attain her goal of independent living in her senior years. Only in the final years did vascular dementia diminish her ability to take care of herself, but not her spirit. We thank the many caregivers who assisted her with patience and dedication, and allowed her to remain in her home until April 21, 2023. For her many friends we ask them to recall what they treasured in their relationship with her and to know that she treasured their friendship. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Autism Society of America, Susan Komen Foundation, or Alzheimer's Foundation.

Ms. Carmen Iris Nelson

January 9, 1929 - April 21, 2023