Janice Nelson

May 26, 1935 – December 20, 2025

Colonel Janice M. Nelson, USA Ret., Army Nurse Corps, age 90, of Evans, Georgia died Saturday December 20, 2025, at Piedmont Hospital in Augusta, Georgia.

She was the daughter of the late Albert and Besse (Peterson) Nelson. She spent her childhood in northeastern Nebraska, moving to Oakland, Nebraska in 1941 where she graduated from Oakland High School in 1953. She became a Registered Nurse in 1956 following graduation from Creighton Memorial St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing in Omaha, Nebraska. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Drury College in Springfield, Missouri in 1972, and her master’s degree from Webster College, St. Louis, Missouri in 1978. She was a pediatric nurse at St. Joseph Hospital in Omaha until 1962, and then at Children’s Hospital in San Francisco until entering the Army Nurse Corps.

Janice entered the United States Army Nurse Corps in San Francisco in October 1966. She retired in 1990 with rank of Colonel. Her primary specialties were Pediatric Nursing and Nursing Administration. Her assignments included Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX; 130th General Hospital in Nurenberg, Germany; Reynolds Army Hospital, Fort Bliss in El Paso, TX; Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, HI; Fitzsimons Army Medical Center in Denver, CO; Walson Army Hospital, Fort Dix, NJ; Tripler General Hospital in San Francisco, CA; Eisenhower Army Medical Center, Fort Gordon in Augusta, GA; and Fort Stewart in Hinesville, GA.

Her awards and decorations include the Army Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (1st Oak Leaf Cluster), Overseas Service Ribbon (2), Meritorious Service Medal (1st Oak Leaf Cluster), Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Hour Glass, and Legion of Merit.

She was a member of the Army Nurse Corps Association and the Women’s Military Service Association.

Upon her retirement from the Army, Jan moved to Martinez, Georgia. She enjoyed gardening, joined the Cherokee Rose Garden Club and became a Lifetime Georgia Master Gardener. Soon after moving to Brandon Wilde in 2019, she began applying her skills to the Pavilion courtyard garden. She was an avid and knowledgeable sports fan, especially cheering on the Atlanta Braves, and the Nebraska Cornhuskers. She participated regularly in variety of volunteer activities. Among them, she prepared income tax returns through the AARP free tax return service for many years. She was always looking for ways to give and to help others.

Janice was a devoted daughter, sister, aunt, and great aunt. She is survived by her sister Melinda Drum of Palatine, Illinois, niece Laura (Chris) Simpson of Lexington, SC, nephew Jeffrey Drum (Eugenia) of Chicago, great-nephew Connor Simpson, and great-nieces Allie Simpson, and Penny and Mina Drum. She was preceded in death by her parents, by her brother and sister-in-law Bernard and Judy Nelson, and by her brother-in law, Dale Drum. She was well loved and will be greatly missed by her family, her friends, and all whose lives she touched.

The family wishes to thank the staff of the Brandon Wilde Pavilion and Colonnade for the wonderful care and support Jan received during the past year.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 on January 20, 2026, at Brandon Wilde, 4275 Owens Road, Evans, Georgia in the Georgia Room with Reverend Greg Porterfield of Wesley United Methodist Church officiating.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Wesley United Methodist Church, Evans, GA.