Mary was born in Glade Spring, VA on April 23, 1932. Mary was the only daughter of William Roby and Pearl (Chatham) Combs with one older brother, Dwight, and one younger, Jack. Her family grew up in the coal-mining towns in West Virginia and Virginia until earning her diploma, from Sugar Grove High School, in 1949.
Upon graduating, Mary worked for her high school, the telephone company and the DMV. She met John Sanford Nelson in Norfolk, VA where he was stationed in the Navy. They married November 19, 1954. While in the service, John and Mary lived in many different places around the country, settling in Mossyrock in 1972. A devout Christian, Mary was a member of New Beginnings Community Church. She was a wonderful mother and Granny who cherished time with her family.
Left to honor Mary and remember her love are her four children, Bob (Wanda) Nelson, Wayne (Pam) Nelson, Johanna (Jerald) Workman, and Rusty (Lynne) Nelson, all of the Mossyrock area; twelve grandchildren, Jamie (Mike), Jesse (Alex), Dustin, Tori (Chantel), Kari (Nick), Janee (John), K.J., Lexi, Jordan, Robbie, Casey and Daniel; thirteen great grandchildren, Kennedy, Madison, Ava, Andee, Tanner, Warren, Jack, Maci, Sadi, Andrew, Luke, Avianna and Zayne; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Mary was preceded in death by her husband, parents and two brothers.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 10 at noon at New Beginnings Community Church in Salkum. The Nelson Family would like to extend our gratitude to Assured Hospice for their attentiveness and loving care. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Mary’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or New Beginnings Community Church building fund.
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