Fran was born in Petrolia, Texas on December 15, 1926. She is the third of nine children. She graduated from High School in Plainview, Texas in 1943. She married Willie (Bill) Nelson (not the singer) on March 15, 1946. She worked for Hicks and Ragland Engineering for several years while Bill obtained a business degree from Texas Tech University.
Fran’s “career” was wife, homemaker, and caregiver to her entire family. Fran was a charter member of Southcrest Baptist Church. Her entire life was focused on her Savior Jesus Christ and witnessing to family and friends about the saving power of God’s love and the sacrifice of his son Jesus Christ.
She is survived by her daughter, Sherry Andrews, of Lubbock; her son Kurt and wife, Yulanda Nelson, of Krugerville, Texas; grandchildren: Laura and Joseph Delcambre of Wichita, Kansas, Chase Nelson and Rachel of Denton, Texas, and Schyler Nelson of Krugerville, Texas; great-grandchildren: Rowan Delcambre, age 3, Heidi Rose Nelson, age 19 months, and Emmaline Jewel Nelson, age 7 months. She was also survived by her sister, Jolene Yerby, and brother, Danny Yerby.
Fran was preceded in death by Bill, her husband of 72 years; her parents, Boyd and Mrytle Yerby, of Plainview Texas, and brothers: Junior, J.W., Chester, Howard, Ralph, and Jerry Yerby.
Memorial donations may be sent to Hospice of Lubbock.
