Phyllis Johanna Nelson died February 9, 2017 at age 93. She was born October 7, 1923 at the old Masonic Hospital in Five Points, later known as Sears & Roebuck and then the El Paso Police Department.
Phyllis went to Houston Elementary and graduated from Austin High School in 1941. She then attended Texas College of Mines (UTEP) and participated in the Gold Diggers coed drill team.
In 1989, Phyllis attended the Gold Diggers reunion as part of the 75th UTEP anniversary celebration. She was an avid UTEP Miner basketball fan and season ticket holder for over 45 years.
Phyllis Johanna Bamberger and Lawrence Chalmers Nelson were married at the First Baptist Church of El Paso in 1944. They served together in many El Paso Baptist churches including First Baptist, Immanuel Baptist, Grandview Baptist, and Scotsdale Baptist.
Phyllis participated in several El Paso Baptist Association projects including Aspendale Ranch (Cloudcroft NM), the former Glorieta Conference Center (Glorieta NM), and Paisano Baptist Encampment (Alpine TX). In her youth, she also attended Ridgecrest Conference Center (Ridgecrest NC) for many Baptist activities.
Phyllis became an ardent volunteer at Del Sol Medical Center (formerly Vista Hills Hospital) after Lawrence died in 1986. In 2010, then Governor of Texas Rick Perry recognized her for 25 years of service work in the El Paso Retired and Senior Volunteer Program. Phyllis had previously been employed at the State National Bank downtown and Karam Construction Company.
Phyllis is survived by son Larry Nelson (Margie), son Jerry Nelson (Kristi), and grandsons Brian Nelson, Blakely Nelson, and Bradley Nelson.
She was preceded in death by Lawrence Nelson (husband), Maude and Hilbert Bamberger (parents), Ernestine Welsh (sister), and Troy Nelson (grandson).
Graveside services will be held at Ft. Bliss National Cemetery, Wednesday, February 15, 10:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your favorite charity.
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