Nellye Bee Preston

Nellye Bee Savage Preston, passed away December 18, 2024 at the age of 82. She was born on January 8, 1942, in Dundee, Mississippi, to the late Pastor Daniel Savage, Sr. and Leona Andrews-Savage. Nellye was the third-born of six children. She spent her early childhood in Memphis, Tennessee before moving to Seaside, California with her family at the age of thirteen in search of better career opportunities.

Nellye attended and graduated from Monterey Union High School on June 17, 1960, with a certificate in Home Economics. Soon after High School, she worked as a housekeeper in Monterey County. Her life took a beautiful turn when, on Good Friday in 1962, she met William Edward Preston, Jr. The couple soon began dating and married on November 22, 1963. Their bond would span an incredible sixty-one years of love, partnership, and family.

The couple moved to Palo Alto, California, to start their careers and eventually settled in Milpitas,California where they purchased a home in 1969, where they would spend the next thirty-one years. In 1971, they adopted a newborn baby boy, who they named, Edward Charles Preston, he brought immense joy and love into their lives. In 2000, they relocated to Stockton, California, to be closer to their son and his growing family. In 2006, they moved once again, this time to Katy, Texas, to continue being near their beloved family.

Nellye worked for many years as an Inspection Manager at Lockheed-Martin in Sunnyvale, California, where her commitment to excellence was recognized and appreciated. Outside of work, Nellye was known for her love of swimming and enjoyed spending time with her family at the beach, often making bonfires and sharing special moments together. She loved going on cruises and was passionate about cooking, cleaning, and sewing, and she delighted in hosting parties for loved ones, leaving lasting memories of her kindness and warmth.

Nellye was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was preceded in death by her younger brother, Daniel Savage, Jr.; her mother, Leona Andrews-Savage; her father, Pastor Daniel Savage, Sr.; and her sisters, Earnestine Shorter and Ann Lee Savage.

She is survived by her loving husband, William Edward Preston, Jr.; her son, Edward Charles Preston, and his wife, Jamila Preston; her grandchildren, Sgt. Edward Charles Preston, Jr. and his wife Mai Preston, Trainea Satchell, and DeCarlo Preston; and her great-grandchild, Zurmiiland Satchell. Nellye is also survived by her sisters, Erma Jean Smith and Erdine Njle; her nephews, Raymond Shorter, Roger Shorter, Sean Jones, Reginald Shorter, and Benjamin Njle; her nieces, Norrine Riney Jones and Vanessa Smith; her grandniece, Brittney Shorter; and her grandnephews, Maddox John Shorter and Ayden Jones.

Nellye will be remembered for her unwavering faith, her devotion to her family, and her beautiful spirit. Her legacy of love, kindness, and joy will continue to inspire all who knew her.

"Her love touched our hearts and her memory will live on forever."

A funeral service for Nellye will be held Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at 10:30 AM at Katy Funeral Home, 23350 Kingsland Blvd, KATY, TX 77494. Following the funeral service will be a committal service at 12:45pm at Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77038.