Mary Elizabeth Nelson

Born Sept. 25, 1932, to the late Pauline Prentiss Nelson and Charles Nelson of Nashville, she was preceded in death by daughter Elisabeth Burch Taron; grandson Robert G. Burch; and siblings Charles Nelson Jr., William Nelson II, Helen Nelson Payne, Polly Nelson Craig and Edward G. Nelson.

Known as “Aunt Betty,” “Honey” and “M.E.” to a sprawling family of which she was beloved matriarch, she is survived by son John R. Burch Jr. (Piper), grandchildren John R. Burch III (Tracy), Melanie Burch, Emma Taron, Hampton Taron, and great-grandchildren Jack Burch and Rees Burch. She loved nothing more than her family.

The youngest of six, Mary Elizabeth attended kindergarten at Overbrook School and went to Parmer School, before graduating from Hillsboro High School, where she earned yearbook distinction as “easiest to get along with.” She continued her education and graduated from Vanderbilt University. Because of her love of family, she worked deliberately to build connections and tradition among the more than 75 children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews and their spouses.

She was a longtime member of Junior League of Nashville and served as president 1970-71. She was a member at St. Augustine’s Church and Wednesday Weeders garden and luncheon club. Mary Elizabeth traveled extensively, from the Western U.S. to China.

In 1990, Mary Elizabeth turned her focus to mountain life in Monteagle and Sewanee, where she had spent time with many family members who attended University of the South. She purchased property along a serene bluff overlooking Lost Cove on the Cumberland Plateau. In 1994, she moved into Brinkwood, the former farmhouse of novelist Walker Percy and his cousin William Alexander Percy, and began renovations on the neighboring Rivendell Manor. In 2013, she established Rivendell Writers’ Colony, a retreat intended to inspire imagination through programs, workshops and residencies for published and aspiring writers. In 2018, she announced the writers’ colony would evolve into a haven for spiritual healing and exploration, to operate as Rivendell Spiritual Center.

The family wishes to thank Jan Norby, RN, BSN; caregivers Mary Barcom, Aliyah Goad, Anita Andrews, Danielle Throm and Angela Lewis; and the communities at Clarendale and The Trace for their compassion and skill.

St. Augustine’s Church will host a celebration of the life of longtime member Mary Elizabeth, Tuesday, March 31, 4 p.m., at The Center for Contemplative Justice, where St. Augustine’s temporarily holds services. The address is 5201 Alabama Ave., Nashville, TN, 37209.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to St. Augustine’s Church, P.O. Box 6033-B, Nashville, TN, 37235; Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 9020 Overlook Blvd., Suite 120, Brentwood, TN 37027; or Rivendell Spiritual Center, P.O. Box 3334, Sewanee, TN, 37375.