Mary Ann (Glover) Nelson of Beaumont, died Sunday, March 25, 2007 in her home at Atria Collier Park. Mrs. Nelson was born July 27, 1920 in Vincennes, Indiana to Eliza and Karl Glover of Lawrenceville, Illinois. She moved to Beaumont in 2005 to be near her children.
While working for Texaco the family was fortunate to live in Iran (1955-1964 Abadan, 1968-1977 Tehran) with intervening assignments in Nederland, Texas and Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Their years overseas resulted in a passion for Iran, its people, culture, and a lust for travel. She had an intense interest in world affairs.
Throughout her life, wherever they lived, they made deep and long lived friendships. Her home was always open to all. She loved to feed people and discuss the issues of the day. Mary Ann thrived on the challenges of the game of Bridge.
Her generous nature and interest in people led her into a life of community activism both in Iran and in Illinois. She was an assiduous fundraiser and organizer in her efforts to make her community a better place. Mary Ann was a committed and generous member of her church.
Mrs. Nelson was preceded in death by her husband of sixty-six years, James Carl (Cart) Nelson. She is survived by her children and grandchildren, Dr. John L. Nelson and his wife Anne (Shepherd) Nelson of Beaumont, their sons, Scott and Cade Nelson of Los Angeles, California, Margie and Ted A. Primeaux of Lake Sam Rayburn, their children, Amy Primeaux of Fredricksburg, Virginia and SFC Andrew Primeaux of Fort Polk, Louisiana, Liza Nelson and Ken Welton, and her son Devin Conlon of Beaumont. Other survivors include her sister and brother-in-law, Margie and Ward Warner of Lawrenceville, Illinois and their children, Rebecca Warner of Oaxaca, Mexico and son Lucas, Andrew and Karen Warner and sons, Adam and Logan of Lawrenceville, Illinois, Tamara Warner and sons, Ward and Will Clark Farmer of Knoxville, Tennessee. Her family includes her beloved Persian daughter, Dr. Zohreh (Tavakuli) Sullivan and her husband Dr. Jim Hurt of Champaign, Illinois.
We wish to thank Drs. Robert Birdwell and Lee Haak for their compassionate care of our mother. Thanks go to the staffs of Collier Park and Harbor Hospice for their professionalism and kindness. To our special “Angels”, Iris Cole, Bobbie Joyce (BJ) Ford, Camellia Griffin, Jessie Hunter and Mary Alice Jenkins we extend our gratitude, our deepest respect and our lasting love for your tireless care, good humor and the love shared with these past two years.
Our deep appreciation goes to Delores, Smythe, Sue and Bill Shepherd who worked tirelessly to make Mother feel welcome and at home in Beaumont. We are so grateful to our sister, Anne (Shepherd) Nelson for her herculean efforts toward making Mother’s life in Beaumont a rich one.
A memorial service is being planned for Mrs. Nelson in Lawrenceville, Illinois in Mid-June. Contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 809 12th Street, Lawrenceville, Illinois 62439 or to charity of choice.