Emogene Nelson was born April 11, 1928, in Lawrence County, TN, the daughter of the late Authur Clyde Hollis and Grace Truman Hollis. Although she wasn’t an orphan, she lived for eight years at the Tennessee Baptist Children’s Home in Franklin, TN. Emogene was united in marriage on June 9, 1946, to the love of her life, William Robert Nelson. She dedicated 27 years as an employee for Angelica Manufacturing as a supervisor. Emogene volunteered for many years at the Natchez Trace Welcome Center in Collinwood, TN. She was a dedicated member of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Westpoint, TN. Emogene had many interests, but she had a passion for sewing, quilting, crocheting, fishing, and word search puzzles. Emogene departed this life on November 4, 2023, in Waynesboro, Tennessee at the age of 95 years, 6 months, 24 days.
She is survived by sons William “Alvin” Nelson (Patty) of Westpoint, TN, Robert “Calvin” Nelson of Westpoint, TN, “Donald” Elvin Nelson (Faye) of Westpoint, TN; daughter Iva Gayle Logan of Anderson, AL; brothers, James Hollis of Siloam Springs, AR, and Frank Hollis of Joplin, MO; sisters, Edith Waters of Lebanon, TN, Mildred Gayler of Rogers, AR, and Delphia Elder Hicksville, OH; grandchildren, Timothy Nelson (Lalita), Susie Davis (Chris), Rebecca Skillern (Jeff), Donnie Nelson (Misty), Greg Nelson, William Wallace (Dani), Wesley Wallace (Kaysi), Lesley Merrill (Jason McKelvey), Thomas Wallace (Tracey); step- grandchild, Martha Marrs; great-grandchildren, Heather Davis, Jake Nelson, Jaxie Nelson, Jeffery Skillern, Beau Skillern, Sarah Skillern, Craig Gallaher, Dustin Gallaher, Harper Wallace, Colton Simpson, Cash Wallace, Tripp Wallace, Hayden Wallace, Cooper Wallace, Madilyn Wallace, Caroline Wallace, Luke Merrill, Bodey Merrill, Mady McKelvey, Reagan McKelvey, Presley Jones, Ryder Wallace, Sawyer Wallace, Oliver Wallace; step-great-grandchildren, Adreana Roush, Adam Fisher, Polly Sexton; seven great-great-grandchildren; eight step-great-great grandchildren; eight step-great-great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by her former son-in-law Lester Wallace, her best friend, Dorothy Andrews, and her second daughter, Janice Creecy; lastly her many nieces, nephews, and friends are also left to cherish her memory.
In addition to her parents and husband she is preceded in death by brothers, Lawrence Hollis, Dale Hollis; sister Jewel Owens, Thelma Gambrell, Mary Wonderly; daughter-in-law, Sue Nelson; son-in-law, Tilman Logan.
Pallbearers: Greg Nelson, Tim Nelson, Donnie Nelson, William Wallace, Wesley Wallace, and Thomas Wallace. Honorary pallbearers: Lester Wallace, Jeff Skillern, Jason McKelvey, and Chris Davis.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Westpoint, TN, with Jerry Robbins and Ricky Nelson officiating. Interment in the Bethlehem Baptist Church Cemetery with Shackelford Funeral Directors assisting the family.
