On a sunny, bright Lord's Day, November 6, 2022, Marilyn Kay Nelson was called to her Heavenly home to meet her Savior.

She was surrounded by her loving family, whose hearts are broken by her passing. However, they celebrate her life and want others to do the same.

Marilyn was born October 23, 1960 to Charles and Geneva Wright. She was joined in holy matrimony to Terry Nelson on April 25, 1981. To their union, two daughters were born.

Marilyn was a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and loyal friend. She left with all of them precious memories of time spent with her. She was generous and kind, and a planner of adventures for the little souls who called her MawMaw. Being a MawMaw meant the world to her.

Marilyn was a woman of faith who accomplished so much during her time here. She worked hard at everything she pursued – raising her family, volunteering, working for Head Start, being the nurse at the high school, leading a mission trip to Uganda, making beautiful quilts, and transporting children she loved to school and back. She was a strong prayer warrior, who tried to find good in whatever challenges life gave to her. Her family was, and will always be, so proud of her. Her smile and laugh were contagious and she radiated love and kindness.

She is survived by her cherished husband, Terry Nelson; two daughters, Terra (Josh) Cahill, and Danetra (Greg) Edwards; her grandchildren Ronan and Evie Cahill, and Olive Edwards; Sisters Clinda(Rex) Miller and Carla Treece, brother David (Sharon) Wright and other loved ones.

She was preceded in death by her parents Charles and Geneva Wright; in-laws Obie and Betty Nelson, sister-in-law Darla Franklin and her brother-in-law Carl Pursley.

Her faith was unwavering. Her battle with cancer was long, but her heart was right and she let her family know she was ready to meet her Maker. Marilyn would have wanted her friends and family to be vigilant about breast cancer awareness and mammograms, and to be kind to each other.

There will be a butterfly release in Celebration of Marilyn's Life in the Spring and will be announced at a later date.

A memorial scholarship has been set up at Phelps County Bank. It is to be awarded to a senior high school student in St. James who will pursue nursing.

Arrangements are under the direction of Jones Funeral Home, St. James, Missouri. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for support of the Marilyn Nelson Scholarship Fund.