Barbara Nelson

Barbara was preceded in death by husband Donald Nelson. Survived by her loving children Janice Stanford, Glen Stanford, Angela Cook, grandchildren, great grandchildren and sisters and brothers.

VISITATION: Friday, October 9, from 5-8pm at Westlawn Hillcrest.

FUNERAL SERVICE: Saturday, October 10, 10:00 AM at WestLawn-Hillcrest Funeral Home, 5701 Center Street, Omaha, NE 68108

Barbara J. Nelson was a kind woman who demonstrated strength, value, and the importance of having a foundation. She instilled the importance of family and love to her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many more. She will forever be in our hearts for generations to come.

Barbara J. Whitby Nelson, 85 years, of Phoenix, Arizona was called home on September 28, 2020.

Barbara was born on November 18th, 1934 in Neelvville. Missouri to the late Basil & Catherine Whitby. She was the second oldest of twelve children.

Barbara accepted Christ as her Savior at an early age with Pleasant Grove Baptist Church of Harviell. Missouri. She continued to devote her life to the Lord and served on the Usher and Mother‘s Board at Mount Olive Baptist Church in Omaha, NE and as a faithful member of Thomas Road Baptist Church in Phoenix, AZ.

Barbara moved to Omaha, Nebraska in 1957. While living in Omaha, she received her greatest gifts of all: becoming a mother of two daughters; Janice Stanford and Angela (Gerald) Cook, and one son Henry (Christina) Stanford. and later blending her Family with the green-eyed man of her dreams, Donald V. Nelson on October 14th, 1980. They celebrated 38 years of marriage before his departure in 2016. Soon after marrying Donald. she beeame a member of the Eastern Star, Sheba Chapter of Omaha in 1981.

After graduating From Wheatley Highschool of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, Barbara developed a passion for helping those in need that led her to pursue a certification as a License Practical Nurse and acquire a career as a Visiting Nurse for the Visiting Nurses Association, in Omaha, Nebraska. After relocating to Phoenix, Arizona in 1997, Barbara continued her dedication to helping people and eventually became a Walmart Greeter until 2015.

Some of her children’s best memories consist of their mom making sure her dining room table was always set, cooking delicious food. Barbara and Janice tryin to out sing each other during church services, taking long drives to the farms, and her encouragement to keep living and not to feel sorry for themselves, even during their most sickly and hard times. Angela use to love to go shopping with her mom. The memory of Barbara shopping for items to make baskets for others during their time of need. This memory demonstrated how to give love and love is exactly what Barbara’s children felt from her. Henry's fondest memories of his mom was her running into the gym to watch him pray basketball after she had worked long hours and him simply laying in her bed, even as an adult, to just relax. And who could for et Barbara “gettin down” to the song “Funky Funky Broadway”. These memories and more will live on forever.

Barbara was preceded in death by her loving husband Donald Nelson; father, Basil Whitby; mother, Catherine Whitby; siblings, Thomas Richie, Roy Whitby. Otis Whitby, Basil Whitby Jr. and Caroline Whitby. She leaves to cherish her memories with her children; Janice Stanford. Henry (Christina) Stanford. Angela (Gerald) Cook, Lonnie (Cherry) Nelson, Eileen (James) Brooks, and Ronnie Nelson; sisters: Alma Caruthers, Clara Tubbs. Irene Mays. brothers: Charles (Elaine) Whitby, Carl Whitby. and Kenneth Whitby: sisters in law; Andrea (Dan) Goodwin and Linda Jones, grandchildren; Latasha (Michael) Brock, Nikia (Donald) Towles, ]essica Saunders, Janisea Shields, Jeremy McDaniel, Phillip Saunders Jr, and Lavena Padilla; and a host of nieces, nephews, great grand children, great-great grandchildren, cousins, and other loving relatives and friends.