Mary Christene Nelson

Mary Christine Simmons, the daughter of Lindsey Simmons and Amelia Boston, was born August 30,1939. She was the youngest of 11 children (7 brothers and 3 sisters). Mary Simmons was born in Aviary, Georgia but spent her formative years in Philadelphia, PA where she graduated from the Philadelphia Public School system On November 12,1955. She was joined in Holy Matrimony to Willie General Nelson and together they had 8 children, Carolyn, Cynthia, Willie, Mark, Phillip and Paul. She became a member of Jehovah’s Witness’s and was baptized on June ,15,1960 and raised all of her children in the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witness’s where she faithfully attended until her death. She raised her children in a comfortable home in Philadelphia and after her husband, Willie, passed. She later moved to Montgomery County, PA. At the age of 75, Mary decided she wanted to spend her retirement years in Las Vegas, Nevada. Even though, Mary was retired she lived a very active life. Mary loved Jehovah God and his son Jesus Christ deeply and never missed a day of reading her Bible in fact on the day of her passing she was reading Psalms chapter 139.

Mary was a great wife to her husband, Willie, and was the definition of a real Mother. She was loving, kind, generous and supportive of all her children's dreams and aspirations. She was the mother who spoiled her children and grandchildren everyday with whatever they desired but the love always showed first. Aside from being a great wife and Mother, Mary Nelson was a registered Nurse for many years. She became a trailblazer by being the first black woman to own a Medical Equipment Company in Philadelphia (Comfort Care), and Antique store (Unique & Antique). After the tragic passing of her husband in 1990 Mary became a super woman at the time to provide a better life for her minor children Phillip and Paul. She began working many careers at the same time such as Nursing, managed a cable company and was a school bus driver. She did all of this to raise her youngest sons Phillip and Paul in the suburbs of Philadelphia to ensure they had quality education and grew up in a safe environment. She created the blueprint for all of her children and grandchildren to be successful. Even in her senior years, she served as an advisor on their many entrepreneurial ventures and was their biggest supporter. She was the inspiration behind her son, Paul's book, and she was the sole driving force behind all of the success every member of the Nelson Family experienced because she inspired everyone to be great. Her son, Mark played a pivotal part in assisting his mother, Mary. He was a dependable son who was always one phone call away and he also helped spearhead and assisted Mary moving to Las Vegas, NV. Paul made sure she was well taken care of in her senior years financially and by having a home built from the ground up that had a suite built specifically for her. Phillip also played a vital role; in taking care of his mother in her senior years by making sure his mother lived a comfortable life until her passing. Between the brothers no expense was spared when it came to their mother. Sadly, she passed away on August 2, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

She preceded in death by her husband, Willie; her daughters, Carolyn and Cynthia; her granddaughter, Ashley; & daughter in law, Tammy.

She is survived by her four sons, Willie Eric, Mark Pierre, Phillip Octavius (Shannel), and Paul Dominic; her grandchildren Zaire, Isaiah, Sean, Liabella, Paris, Johnnie, Brandon, Brennon, Blair, Marcus, Dezaray, and Picasso; and host of other Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren and plenty of Friends.