Joy Elaine Nelson Wilson-Brown passed away Sunday, September 14 at SOMC Hospice and Palliative Care Center, Portsmouth, Ohio, less than a year after a cancer diagnosis. She was born January 5, 1948 in Wheelersburg, Ohio to Homer and Ruth Helen Dials Nelson, the third of their three children.
She graduated from Wheelersburg High School, then attended Portsmouth Business College before moving to Chicago IL. Joy worked in banking and hotel management in Chicago before marrying Harry Edwin Wilson III (Ned) and moving to Macon, MO where she continued her education at Northeast Missouri State and started their family.
Joy is survived by her daughter, Barbara Ruth Elaine (BREW) Wilson-Battles,of Wheelersburg, her niece, Rita Blanton Ruby of Chicago, great-nephew Tim Ruby (Rocio Lugo) of Chicago, great-neice, Sarah Ruby, of Chicago and great-great niece Penelope Lugo of Chicago. She also leaves behind her childhood, lifetime best friend Sharyn (Marilyn) Gerlach, of Wheelersburg.
She is preceded in death by parents, Homer and Ruth Nelson; daughter, Elizabeth Danielle Wilson (infancy); beloved son-in-law, Scott Battles; husband and daughters’ father, Harry Edwin Wilson III; husband, Jim Brown; sister, Barbara Winkler; and brother, Mike Nelson.
She enjoyed fellowship at Sand Hill Christian Baptist Church, Wheelersburg and prayed regularly for so many of us. Singing was important to her, listening, participating, encouraging. Friends remember her as generous, kind, quick-witted and an extraordinary baker of cookies.
She spent years as a dedicated care-giver. Joy cared deeply for animals, believing dismissal of a stray to be “wrong, wrong, wrong.” We never know who we have the opportunity to help as “they could be angels,” she would say.
Joy devoured books and was a tireless teller of stories, those handed down from family lore as well as her own experiences. She was never boring and found amusement in the telling and retelling. Of many things Joy contributed to the lives of others, this will be profoundly missed.
A quality afternoon or evening with Joy would include porch-sitting, Pepsi and dogs at her feet.
Our deep gratitude extends to the staff of SOMC Hospice and Palliative Care Center, as well as friends and family who’ve offered support and love. Thank you to F.C. Daehler Mortuary Company. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to SOMC Hospice and Palliative Care Center.
There will be no immediate services. A celebration of Joy’s life will be held at a later time.
Please visit www.fcdaehlermortuary.com to leave a special memory of Joy or condolences for her family.