Airlean Lucile Nelson

Airlean Nelson was born in Dozier, Alabama, to loving and hardworking parents Shelley and Odessa White on September 12, 1935. She was one of seven children. She graduated from Crenshaw County Training Academy in May of 1953. Thereafter, she married her childhood crush and love of her life, SMSGT Dennie C. Nelson Sr., in New Jersey. Together they enjoyed traveling abroad to various countries, including Italy and Guam, as well as throughout the United States of America. Airlean, her husband, and children settled in Las Vegas, NV, in 1980.

A devoted Domestic Engineer, Air Force Wife, and Mother to seven children. Airlean acquired multiple skills, which included agriculture, gardening, cooking, sewing, and crocheting.

While traveling and caring for her family Airlean worked as a Factory Clerk for Timex. In later years, a retail merchandiser for various gift and fashion shops in Las Vegas.

To know Airlean was to love and admire her charismatic spirit. She will forever be remembered by her beautiful smile, contagious laughter, kindness, love for music and dance, unique style and fashion sense, intellect, charm, authenticity, patriotism, and her faith in the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Airlean is preceded in death by her husband, SMSGT Dennie Nelson Sr.; daughter Carlene L. Nelson; son David C. Nelson; daughter Eleanor J. Nelson; her parents and siblings.

Airlean Nelson is survived by her sons, Dennie C. Nelson Jr. and Dean C. Nelson; daughters, Anita M. Nelson and Melissa R. Ragland; niece, Lillie Singleton; grandchildren, Kenneth Banks Jr., Katrina Coleman, Calvin Hines Jr., Sahara Nelson, Darryl Ragland, Airlean Nelson, Michael Ragland, Cyan Nelson, and David Nelson Jr.; great-grandchildren, Aniya Coleman, Ziera Cole, Cayleigh Hines, Carly Coleman, Messiah Evans, Amyus Evans, Karina Ragland, Ayden Hines, Robert Coleman Jr., Kenneth Banks III, Violet Murphy, Ezekiel Ragland, and Jahdani Kamara.

Loved ones and friends will forever cherish the memory of Mrs. Airlean L. Nelson.

Pallbearers will be Robert Coleman Jr., Robert Coleman Sr., Messiah Evans, Amyus Evans, and staff of Palm Mortuary.

Initial Visitation: Monday, March 24, 2025, at Palm Northwest Mortuary, Las Vegas, NV.

The Celebration of Life Service will be Monday, March 24, 2025, at Palm Northwest Mortuary. Officiant: Rev. Dr. R. Charles Hemphill, Jr of True Love Missionary Baptist Church.

Tuesday, March 25, 2025, final visitation at Palm Mortuary Northwest Interment at Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

The Committal Ceremony and Final Reception will be held at Palm Northwest Mortuary, Las Vegas, NV.

Memorials may be given to Palm Mortuary Northwest at 6701 N. Jones Street, Las Vegas, NV 89131

The family of Mrs. Airlean L. Nelson wishes to extend our sincere thanks and deepest appreciation to Elder Care Hospice staff. May God bless you all.