Betty Lou Ford Nelson

Virginia Beach – Betty Lou Nelson went to meet her Lord Tuesday morning, November 30, 2010. She is predeceased by her parents, Nathan and Lilly Ford; a son, Joseph Frederick Reynolds; her sisters Elsie Hardy, Hilda Alderman, and Peggy Joyce Kimnach; and her brothers, Johnny Spencer Ford and Nathan D. Ford, Jr.

She was born in Bethel, NC and lived in Tarboro, NC until she moved to Washington, DC to become a long distance telephone operator. She later worked for Airoplane Corporation in Norfolk as a bookkeeper for many years. She was a self-employed tailor and started Betty’s Tailors & Supplies in Virginia Beach. After closing her business, she wanted to be a foster parent, and eventually cared for over 35 children. After that, she opened a Family Day Home and helped raise many children until November 2009. She was Nana to most of the children and was well loved by them all.

She is survived by her loving husband, Robert H. Nelson; a son, Alfred Perry Tetterton of Winterville, NC; a daughter, Catherine A. Besette of Portsmouth, NH; her daughter-in-law, Nathalie Leatherwood; her step-son, Daniel R. Nelson of MA; grandsons, Nikolas Reynolds, Eric Todd Tetterton; granddaughters, Tiffany Carlson and her husband, Daniel, Tanya Reynolds, Tara and Teah Leatherwood; a great grandson, Parker Carlson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Betty had a good heart and no one was a stranger to her. She will be missed by all. May she rest in peace.

The family will receive friends from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm prior to the service. The funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, December 4, 2010 at Rosewood Kellum Funeral Home. You may offer condolences to the family at www.kellumfuneralhome.com.