She was born in Robeson County, N. C. and graduated from Philadelphus High School in Lumberton. Nella attended US Army electronics schools and worked in military research laboratories in New Jersey where she met her husband of 53 years - Clarence Odell Weaver. They were a successful couple until his death in 1996. They were a creative team and proposed several military patents including one which was flight tested at Wright Patterson Research Center for the laying of communications lines by helicopter.
Nella settled in Fuquay-Varina, and after the war, she was joined by Odell. In 1961, they moved to Raleigh, NC and resided in Foxcroft until her relocation to Waltonwood for assisted living.
Nella was a devoted mother and wife. She enjoyed gardening, landscaping, designing and making clothes, painting, swimming, and music. For a few years, she kept the books for their Studebaker dealership, ran a hardware store and the Millbrook Post Office. Nella was a silent partner in the Mini City development and other ventures. She ran the home, regularly drove her boys to school and was always waiting when they returned to discussed their day. Nella was immensely interested in Christian teaching of young people. She sang in the choir, often played piano for Sunday School and for many years lead the Youth Program at Piney Grove Baptist Church. She enjoyed international traveling to Laymen Revivals with her husband and hosted many visiting Lay Evangelists.
Nella came from a creative family of four sisters and three brothers. Her mother would teach the older child, and each successive sibling would train the next younger child. Nella was preceded in death by her sisters: Wilma R. Rozier, Elizabeth D. Kinlaw, Theda B. Davis and Natalie F. Leggett and brothers Dr. Dale E. Davis, Stacy A. Davis, and Bruce R. Davis. Nella specifically wished to acknowledge the nourishment and love offered by her parents and siblings, the help offered by both her personal and business friends and the continuous friendship of members of her Sunday School Class and extended family.
Nella’s memory will be cherished by her two sons and their spouses: {Donald and Barbara}, (Glenn and Ellen); Nella’s grandchildren and their spouses: {Ryan and Melissa, Russell and Jessica, Robin and Kendall Leonard, Jamie Jensen, Pauline and Chris Nance}, (Jennifer Weaver, Meredith and Scott Hilton, Elizabeth and David Hilton, and Gabriel Braswell); Nella’s great-grandchildren: {Leyton, Alex, Lexi, Lindsey}, {Connor, Taylor, Finn}, {Amelia, Eliza, Bryce, Blaine, Blake, Brett, Bennett}, {Carli, Winston, Quentin}, (Trent, Chase, Caroline), (Bennett, and Charlotte), respectively.
Nella was also survived by her bother-in-law Pelton Weaver, sister-in-law Carolyne Faucet, brother-in-law Hilton Leggett, brother-in-law Maurice Weaver and wife Martha, and nieces and nephews - Sandra Huddle, Larry Rozier, Peggy Mercer, Linda Davis, Gracie Davis.
Each family member had the absolute knowledge that Nella loved them. As the Matriarch of our family, Nella will be greatly missed and always loved.
A time of visitation will take place prior to the service on Nella’s birthday, Friday, March 8th, 2019 from 2:00-4:00PM in the sanctuary of New Hope Baptist Church at the intersection of US 401 and New Hope Road, Raleigh, NC. Following the visitation, a memorial service will be held at 4:00 PM in the sanctuary followed by a dinner at 5:15 in the fellowship hall.
In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made to the Raleigh Rescue Mission; 314 E Hargett St, Raleigh, NC 27601; www.raleighrescue.org
