Shirley Mae (Nelson) Bellar, 80 years of age, from Stowell, Port Bolivar and Beaumont, Texas, died on January 10, 2016, at the Arboretum Nursing Home of Winnie, Texas. She was born July 12, 1935, in Galveston, Texas to Richard E. and Laura (Bouse) Nelson, of Stowell, Texas.

Shirley was a graduate of East Chambers High School in Winnie in 1954. She attended Baptist Hospital School of Nursing and Lamar State College of Technology and received her License Vocation Nurse Permit in 1968. Her career consisted of working in hospitals in Beaumont and Galveston. She enjoyed her work as a nurse and was a very caring person. She formerly was a member of the Eastern Star and the Women’s Propeller Club in Galveston. She was active in First Baptist Church of Port Bolivar.

She is survived by her brothers, Joe D. Nelson and wife, Jeanne, of Silsbee, Texas and Walter L. Nelson of Beaumont. She is also survived by her brother-in-law, Chester and wife, Treva Matthews of Dunnellon, Florida; sister-in-law, Elsie Cureton; seven nieces and four nephews: Becky Muckleroy, Vicki Weaver, Sherri Hickeron, Laura Malenchex, Shirley Lisenby, Aaron Nelson, Kristi, Elizabeth and David Matthews and Mike, and Robert Cureton. Left to mourn her passing is her friend of twenty-eight years and caregiver, Gloria J. LeBlanc and her family members.

Shirley is preceded in death by her husband, Captain James A. (Pete) Bellar; parents, Richard E. Nelson and Laura (Bouse) Nelson; brother, R. E. (Dick) Nelson, Jr.; sister-in-law, Ann Nelson and beloved friend and accountant, Allen J. LeBlanc, Sr.

A gathering of Mrs. Bellar’s family and friends will be from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, January 14, 2016, at Broussard’s, 134 West Buccaneer Drive, Winnie. Her funeral service will be 2:30 p.m., Friday, January 15, 2016, at Broussard’s, with interment to follow at Fairview Cemetery, Winnie. Family members and friends will serve as pallbearers.

The family would like to thank the staff of the Arboretum Nursing Home in Winnie, and the staff and doctors of the Riceland Medical Center and Gentiva Hospoice for the loving and compassionate care extended to Miss Shirley. A special thanks to Frank Ruedas and Chelsey Ayers with Broussard’s, for their continued help and assistance.