Established 1948 The Herald Democrat December 6-7, 2010 Billie Jean Pearce Nelson went home to be with the Lord December 4, 2010. She was born February 19, 1918 at her parent's home in Eglantine, Arkansas. Her mother, Exie Clara Towery, died when she was 2 years old; and her father, Eugene Henry Pearce, was in Texas looking for work like so many other "dough boys" following World War I. Billie came to Rose Hill, Texas to live with her father and new step-mother, Ivye. In 1935 Billie married her true love, Tom Butler Nelson of Garland. They remained in Garland until 1942 when Tom was hired as a fireman on the Katy Railroad and they moved to Denison. She worked hard maintaining a loving home for her husband and two sons. Besides being a housewife, Billie also worked outside the home which was unusual back then. She played the piano for the Chaffin Dance Studio on Woodard St. and later was a piano accompanist for Mrs. Bodemeyer's Music School. She also served many years as the pianist and organist at Trinity United Methodist Church of Denison. Billie was also a proud member of the D.A.R. Her greatest pleasures revolved around her family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband; two half brothers, Bobby and Joe Pearce; and a grandson, David Nelson. She is survived by her sons, Tommy Nelson of Ivanhoe and wife, Linda; and John Nelson of Denison and wife, Allison; grandchildren, Gregg Nelson and wife, Gina, of Monkstown; Jennifer Ellis and husband, Will, of Sanger; Vanessa Aasletten and husband, Carl, of Ft. Worth; great-grandchildren, Rebecca, Kirk and Christin Nelson; Kayla Ross; Gage Aasletten; and great-great-grandchild, Zachary Ross. The family requests that any memorials be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, 101 E. US Hwy. 69, Denison, Texas 75021. Graveside services were held 2 p.m. Tuesday, December 7, 2010 at Cedarlawn Memorial Park with Rev. Gary Elrod officiating. Cedarlawn Cemetery Susan Hawkins © 2024 If you find any of Grayson County TXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message. |