and Dollie Vestal Thomas. She grew up in Livingston and, after graduating with honors from Livingston
H.S. in 1968, went on to the University of Texas at Austin. There she met Michael “Mike” L. Brown,
the love of her life. Nela and Mike were married in 1971, in a simple on-campus wedding. She received
her BA from U.T. in 1971 and went on to become the first woman to achieve her federal grade level in
the Austin office of the Internal Revenue Service. Nela and Mike moved to Houston in 1974 for Mike’s
legal career. In 1975, their son, Robert Brown, was born. While working, Nela attended the University
of Houston Law Center, and received her Doctorate of Juris Prudence there in 1977. Nela was the first
woman to hold the position of Manager of Research and Analysis for United Energy Resources and was
honored by N.O.W. as "Outstanding woman of the year" in 1980. In 1984 she became the first woman
to hold a managerial position in the history of Shell Oil. After being a tax manager for Shell from
1980-1994, she began working in the environmental law division. She eventually became the head of
state governmental relations for Shell in 2000. By the time she retired, Nela was a Vice President at
Equiva Oil Services, a Shell joint venture. She was a true trailblazer for women, who constantly
encouraged the women around her to work hard and strive for more.
On top of her demanding professional life, Nela always made time to help others. She spearheaded a
campaign to establish gun-free zone laws around schools. She chaired the Texas Gulf Coast United Fund
committee that oversaw use of appropriations. Her love for her son and concern for his learning
disabilities drove her to push for change for all children in H.I.S.D. She worked tirelessly to help schools
understand the differences and the brilliance behind all children. She received several commendations
from the Gulf Coast United Way for her efforts. She tutored children from low-income areas and helped
to provide tutors, mentors, and room sponsors from the business world. She worked to mold H.I.S.D's
task force focused on A.D.D. and A.D.H.D. and the implementation and understanding of the A.D.A for
teachers and principals throughout the district. Nela did all this while coaching little league, soccer, and
writing grants for The Boys and Girls Harbor of Texas. Her dream was to see all children blossom and
find a path, and not to be dismissed because they were different.
After the loss of her beloved husband "Mike" in 2010 Nela found a passion true to her heart, the rescue
of stray animals in Houston. This was her calling. She was relentless when it came to helping abandoned
and forgotten animals in her city. She constantly pushed for regulatory changes at the city level as well.
By establishing the group "Frisky Paws Rescue", she was able to make a difference in the lives of
countless animals. Nela’s animals brought great joy to her life.
Nela was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and courageously fought the battle of a lifetime. She never
showed the constant pain that she endured from her treatment, and she remained positive for those
around her until the very end, a truly amazing feat. Her beloved Michael, and her mother Dollie Vestal
Thomas preceded her in death. She is survived by: her son, Robert, father, “Joe” Thomas, brother,
Claud Thomas and his wife Candy, numerous brothers and sisters in law, and several cousins, nieces
and nephews. A memorial service will be held in the Chapel of Heights Funeral Home on Friday,
January 15, 2016 at 2:00 pm with visitation one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers please
consider a donation to Frisky Paws Rescue Charity (www.friskypawsrescue.org) or the charity of your
choice.
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