Mary Nelson

Waynesville, Mary Ruth Arrington Nelson, age 73, of Camp Branch Road, went home to be with the Lord peacefully on Thursday, May 8, 2008. A native and life-long resident of Haywood County, she was the daughter of the late Dewey and Lockey Hance Arrington. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Bonnor and Palmer Arrington and one sister, Lori Arrington. She was a retired former employee of Haywood Community College and a member of Camp Branch Missionary Baptist Church. Mary Ruth was considered one of a kind, and if it were on her mind, she would let you know it. She loved her family dearly and for them, she went above and beyond. She also loved cooking and especially making cakes for others to enjoy. She enjoyed eating Chinese food and also loved to collect dolls. She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Frank Nelson; two daughters, Deloras Rathbone and her husband, Charles, of Waynesville and Theresa Nelson and her special friend, Mark Sutton, of Waynesville; one son, Terrell Nelson and his wife, Robin, of Jacksonville, NC one sister, Rena Brown, of Hickory, NC; eight grandchildren, Lee Rathbone, Brian Green, Melissa Nelson, Sharon Davis, Jessica Nelson, Natalie Tate, Becky Nelson, and Travis Green; one great-granddaughter, Savannah Rathbone, affectionately known as "Little Bit"; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 10, 2008 in the Waynesville chapel of Wells Funeral Home with Reverend Doug Henson and Reverend Hardin Nicholson officiating. Burial will follow at Green Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from Noon until 2:00 p.m. on Saturday prior to services, and at other times at the home at 1394Camp Branch Road. At the request of the family, flowers are appreciated.

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