Patricia D. “Patti” Nelson, 85, passed away Wednesday, February 10, 2021, at The Davis Community in Wilmington, North Carolina. She was born in Creston, Iowa, to the late Vaughn and Katherine Denton. She is predeceased by her husband, Arnold G. “Arnie” Nelson and by her sister, Kathy Whitson.
Patti devoted her life to the loving care of her husband of 59 years and her children. Patti and Arnie moved several times early in their marriage, and eventually settled in Arkansas where they raised their children. Patti was very active in her church, which included singing in the church choir and participating in the quilting ministry. She also volunteered at many of her children’s school activities, as well as leading her daughter’s Brownie troop and her sons’ Cub Scout den. Her kindness towards others brought her many lasting friendships.
Patti had a great love of music and enjoyed going to the symphony and attending plays. She also loved playing in the bell choir at Champions Assisted Living. In addition to music, Patti enjoyed sewing and doing arts and crafts, which she generously shared with family and friends. Patti loved baking cookies for her children and grandchildren, and always made sure to have each of their favorite cookies on hand when they visited. During their retirement years, Patti and Arnie enjoyed traveling all over the world together.
She is survived by her daughter, Lori Richards and husband Paul of Wilmington, NC; two sons, Greg Nelson and wife Libbie of Houston, TX, and Steve Nelson and wife Debbie of Little Rock, AR; six grandchildren, Greg Nelson and wife Lisa, Stacy Frank and husband Ken, Bradley Nelson and wife Colette, Melissa Olson and husband Christian, Joe Nelson and wife Caroline, and Laura Beth Brown and husband John; and eight great-grandchildren. She is also survived by many cherished nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.
The family would like to express their warm gratitude and sincere appreciation to the staff at The Davis Community and Lower Cape Fear LifeCare for their loving care of Patti over the past several years.
Due to the COVID pandemic, there will be no indoor funeral services. A graveside service will take place at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, March 4 at the Fort Smith National Cemetery, 522 Garland Avenue, Fort Smith, AR, under the direction of Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home of Van Buren, AR.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Patti’s name to The Davis Community (Legacy Fund) at 1011 Porters Neck Road, Wilmington, NC 28411 or to Lower Cape Fear LifeCare at 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401.
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