Hope R. Brown Nelson

She was born on January 18, 1915 in Mattoon, IL, the daughter of the late Horace E. Brown (born in Hillsboro, IL) and Edith (Pennington) Brown (born in Jerseyville, IL). She graduated from Mattoon High School, then Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL. She got her masters degree in education from the University of Illinois. She married George Ned Nelson in 1938 in Mattoon, IL where George was the JCPenney store manager. He preceded her in death in 1943.

Mrs. Nelson moved to Springfield where she was a teacher for the Springfield Public Schools at Dubois and Iles schools. Prior to coming to Springfield, she taught at a country school near Mattoon, IL, the laboratory school at Eastern Illinois University, and 2 years near Washington, D.C. She worked in Chicago a short time in early life and for the State of Illinois for 3 years. She was a former member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Springfield and a charter member and elder of Hope Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Nelson was also involved in the IL Symphony Guild at Springfield, was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, and the IL Retired Teachers Association.

Mrs. Nelson’s daughter lived in England for twenty years and her son was stationed in Germany. She enjoyed traveling there to visit. She also loved her cats and really enjoyed knowing people which showed so much in her great sense of humor.

She is survived by a son J. Anthony Nelson of Springfield and 3 cousins.

Besides her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Rebecca Ann Stevenson, and a brother, George Brown.

Services are under the direction of Bisch Funeral Home West, 2931 S. Koke Mill, Springfield, IL 62711.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2010 at Hope Presbyterian Church in Springfield from 10 am till time of the funeral service at 11 am. The funeral service will also be held in the church. Burial will follow later in Dodge Grove Cemetery in Mattoon, IL.

Memorials may be made to Hope Presbyterian Church or the Sojourn Shelter and Services, Inc.

Please visit the online “Life Remembered Story” at www.bischfuneralhomewest.com where tributes and condolences may be left for the family.