Ms. Nellie Louise Martin Feist

Nellie Louise Feist was born to parents Haskel Ray Martin and Ethel Mitchell Martin in Tulsa, Oklahoma on October 26, 1927. Sweet Nellie last resided in Portland, Oregon but on February 17, 2011, at the age of 83, she went home.

In addition to being an amazing mom, Nellie worked hard as a telephone operator for 38 years. She is survived by many loved ones: her Sons; Jim, Jack and Doug, and her Daughters; Terry and Jan. Nellie had 19 Grandchildren and 40 Great Grandchildren, all of whom loved her dearly!

Visitation for Nellie will be held on Tuesday, February 22, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Gateway Little Chapel of the Chimes in Portland, Oregon. A Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at 11:30 a.m. at Gateway Chapel of the Chimes in Portland. Committal will be at Willamette National Cemetery, Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. A celebration of life reception will be held immediately after the Committal, Wednesday, February 22, 2011 from 3:00-6:30p.m. at her daughter Terry's house (4136 SE 103rd, Portland, OR. 97266).

Gateway Little Chapel of the Chimes has the honor of directing arrangements.

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Nellie Louise Feist was born to parents Haskel Ray Martin and Ethel Mitchell Martin in Tulsa, Oklahoma on October 26, 1927. Sweet Nellie last resided in Portland, Oregon but on February 17, 2011, at the age of 83, she went home.

In addition to being an amazing mom, Nellie worked hard as a telephone operator for 38 years. She is survived by many loved ones: her Sons; Jim, Jack and Doug, and her Daughters; Terry and Jan. Nellie had 19 Grandchildren and 40 Great Grandchildren, all of whom loved her dearly!

Visitation for Nellie will be held on Tuesday, February 22, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Gateway Little Chapel of the Chimes in Portland, Oregon. A Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at 11:30 a.m. at Gateway Chapel of the Chimes in Portland. Committal will be at Willamette National Cemetery, Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. A celebration of life reception will be held immediately after the Committal, Wednesday, February 22, 2011 from 3:00-6:30p.m. at her daughter Terry's house (4136 SE 103rd, Portland, OR. 97266).

Gateway Little Chapel of the Chimes has the honor of directing arrangements.

Funny Nellie Quotes:

"Don't Be Ugly"

"If I say it's thick, It's THICK."

"I'm so mad I could spit nickels."

Funny Nellie Stories/Fond Memories:

"My mom (Terry), my sister (Julie), and I (Jill) took Grandma Nellie on a road trip with us down to Texas. We had many wonderful pit-stops along the way (Sea World, etc) ...but it was a long drive. Julie and Grandma slept most of the time in the back of the van (the bench seat folded down into a double bed). The funniest thing was that when Grandma would maneuver around the van, time after time, she'd smack her head on the TV (this was when the vans had the black and white boxed TV attached to the ceiling). No matter how many times she'd smack it, she'd never remember to duck when climbing into the front seat...and smack...there she'd go again. As terrible as it sounds, after the first few times of checking to see if she was okay, my mom and I would giggle and giggle that she did it again." (--Jill Heffner (granddaughter), 2/21/11)

"She always talked about brushing my hair when I was little.And smile and say she really enjoyed that .One Of the few pleasures she had as a young girl.Billy and her both lost their teeth very early on .So she made sure I brushed my teeth every day If I did'nt she'd do it for me.I'm now 73 and still have my own teeth thanks to her ridged insistance." (--Willis Martin (brother), 2/20/11)

"Doug remembers her telling him how much she enjoyed as a little girl going down to the river so she could 'mud walk' so she could feel the soft mud beween her toes because she liked how it felt.

Vanessa remembers playing with her grandma's neck because it was soft and it gave Vanessa comfort to be in grandma's arms and just be able to touch her soft skin.

Dana remembers feeling accepted by her which made him feel good because she was so kind to him. He remembers being impressed on what a 'smart' women she was and what good business sense she had.

Tracina remembers when she was about 7 or 8 that grandma wanted to race her. Tracina didn't want to race because she felt grandma wouldn't be able to keep up with her and she didn't want to make grandma feel bad. But grandma insisted! So they raced and much to Tracina's surprise grandma 'kicked my butt'. Tracina was totally impressed!" (--Doug Stewart (son), Tracina Navarro (granddaughter), Dana Navarro (grandson-in-law), Vanessa Navarro (great-granddaughter), 2/21/11)

"What I remember about her is she was always full of energy! There was one time she had Michael and I at the store when she was visiting us and asking what kind of “Pop” we wanted and we looked at each other trying to figure out what she was asking! We do not call it “Pop” down here it is what kind of coke do you want?" (--Teena Martin Meink (great-niece), 2/21/11)

How She'll Be Remembered:

"I will always remember my Grandma Nellie as being one of the most kind and generous women I've known. She'd give you the shirt off of her back if you needed it (although she probably had a new one...in three different colors...waiting for you in the trunk of her car)! Grandma Nellie was Grandma Nellie to me and all of my friends. She always had a smile to share and some kind of token of affection to give (which is what her trunk was full of: pepperoni sticks from the butcher shop, huge beach towels, socks, pillow cases, etc.). Grandma Nellie loved everyone and knew how to make each and everyone feel special (which is quite the talent when you consider the size of the family: 5 kids, 19 grandkids, and 40 great-grandkids). She is a woman that loved with her whole heart and gave us memories to last a lifetime!" (--Jill Heffner (granddaughter), 2/21/11)

"She was my favorite sister even tho some would say half sister.I've always hated that term .Because there was nothing HALF with Nell.She was real real and no phonyness about her she was sentemental and completely emmersed in family .She worked hard all her life and most times without a lot of help. I wish I could have seen her one last time.But I don't think I could've handled how she was at the end. There were no half measures with her and she loved unconditionally.And God knows how very good his child Nellie was.GOD bless each and every one of you as we grieve together for one great Lady.In love Willis S. Martin." (--Willis Martin (brother), 2/20/11)

"I don’t know where to start. As far as I know I only saw my sister Nellie two or three times in my life, however I knew that Nellie knew Jesus. You could see Jesus in her smile and in ever thing she did. The first time I saw Nellie she was a beautiful young lady and was with a hansom young sailor, (my big brother Billy Martin). Willis, Pat and I were in an orphanage in Oklahoma. The other times I saw Nellie was at Billy’s Home in Tyler, TX. Nellie was very kind to me and to and Ivy, my wife.

I am the resurrection, and the life: he that beliveth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and beliveth in Me shall never die. John 11:25, 25 KJV

Some day when the Lord calls me home I know that I will see Nellie again and we will do a lot of catching up. I wish to thank Sandi Lovell for calling me about Nellie’s going home to be with the Lord." (--Jimmy Lynn Stafford Martin (brother), 2/22/11)

"Grandma Nellie was a lot of things to a lot of people, for me she was a teacher, she taught me many things from cooking and baking, to spelling and sewing a hole in my tights. She was a best friend when I had a secret, or wanted to play Connect Four.

Grandma was not just our Grandma she was the neighborhood Grandma, and not just her neighborhoods, she was Grandma to all of our neighbors and she was Grandma to all my friends, she was even Grandma to the guys at my Dad's work, she often dropped in to bring my Dad something warm to eat for lunch and even all those grown men stopped what they were doing to see what Grandma had in the trunk for them, just like all us Grandkids did.

Grandma Nellie knew how to love everyone the way we needed to be loved, whether it was to sit and listen to us or to hold us tight and kiss our pains away, I guess that is why so many loved her." (--Charmain (McIntosh) Chartrey (granddaughter), 2/22/11)

"It’s quite difficult to summarize in a few paragraphs how you feel about someone you love, especially one as wonderful as my Aunt Nellie. In the interest of space, time & possibly boring everyone to death, I will try to concentrate on two or three items that stand out for me concerning my Mom’s sister…..my sweet Aunt Nellie.

To begin with, I connected & latched onto Aunt Nellie at the earliest age I can remember (two or three I believe). She always had lots of hugs, kisses & kind words for me every time I was with her. I remember Aunt Nellie lived on a houseboat at one time & I thought it was practically the coolest place in the world to live & wished I could live with her there.

A story that sticks with me even today is the moment I found out that “Grandma” Nellie was indeed, not really my Grandma, but my Aunt. Of course, when you’re that young, you don’t really understand the logistics of what titles in the family mean. I visited my cousins often, while growing up. My second cousins are Aunt Nellie’s grandchildren. They all called her Grandma. I called her Grandma too….she never told me to do otherwise.

I really can’t recall how old I was when someone explained to me that since my Mom & Nellie were sisters, she really was my Aunt & not my Grandmother….I’m thinking I was somewhere between eight & ten. I was so hurt & crushed! It was as if someone had stabbed me in the heart! It seemed like I was being ripped away from my family & was now the unwanted stepchild! I remember crying & telling Aunt Nellie that I was sorry for calling her the wrong name all those years. Aunt Nellie just hugged & loved on me & told me it was all right. She conveyed to me that names were just a formality & it’s what you feel about someone that counts. Aunt Nellie told me to keep on calling her Grandma & after that, my tears dried & I gladly complied! Years later, out of the blue, I remember referring to her as Aunt Nellie & she looked at me, genuinely hurt & told me I had better still call her Grandma Nellie! This is the kind of special lady Aunt Nellie was…..she loved people with a love that most of us wish we had inside ourselves.

One of my fondest memories concerning two of my cousins & Aunt Nellie is the time Tammy, Jennifer & I were invited to spend the night. I loved my cousin Tammy & Jennifer with all my heart as I basically grew up as an only child since my three brothers were much older & out of the house while I was growing up. When I was able to go down to Portland & stay with some of my relatives, I relished the chance to be with family my age… especially the girls.

Somehow, all three of us were staying the night with Aunt Nellie. I must have been six or seven I think…..my memory isn’t the greatest these days. After a fun evening playing with the girls & Aunt Nellie, the pullout couch was made-up & off to bed the three of us went. Somewhere in the middle of the night, Tammy or Jennifer became ill & threw up all over the bed. As we woke Aunt Nellie up to help us clean up, we discovered the other cousin had wet the bed too. The poor person in the middle was getting slammed from both sides with urine & vomit! I contend that I was the person in the middle; however, I’m guessing none of us wants to admit they were the one who wet the bed! It will forever remain a mystery, which, only God will truly know. ☺ Now that I’m thinking of it, it may have been Tracie with Tammy & I instead of Jennifer. I told you my mind isn’t what it once was!

This particular situation wasn’t funny. Who wants to experience bodily fluids (other people’s fluids at that!) all over themselves & getting tossed into a bath at 3 am when you are six years old? I remember hearing Aunt Nellie chuckle as she would tell this story over & over as we were growing up & of course, it eventually became funny to me as well. Most grownups I knew would have yelled, grumbled or made us feel bad about all the mess and trouble we had caused (not to mention, lack of sleep…it must have taken an hour or two to clean us, the bed & surrounding area up). Not my Aunt Nellie. I think she was just as sweet & loving & may have cracked a joke or two; it was just like her to do this. She cleaned us all up, got us something fresh to wear & tucked us back into a clean bed without missing a beat. If something this traumatic was going to happen anywhere, I’m so glad it was at My Aunt Nellie’s! ☺

In conclusion, I had many special times with my Aunt Nellie. I know there are thousands of different stories similar to mine concerning other family members & friends as well. Aunt Nellie always modeled the best possible example to me over the years. I honestly cannot remember a time she lost her cool or was mean to me (which really speaks volumes since I was quite a handful!) I will always remember her fondly as my wonderfully, hilarious Aunt who was beautiful inside & out. I am grateful & blessed to be part of her family & feel privileged for the many opportunities I was given to be around her during my childhood. They’re very near & dear to my heart; memories I shall not ever forget! I love you “Grandma” Nellie & I pray we will one day see each other again! With much love & adoration, your niece Sandi. ☺" (--Sandi Lovell (niece), 2/17/11)