Obituary for Minnie Lee Nelson (Miller)
John 10:5-6
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Mrs. Minnie Lee Miller Nelson, was born in Iredell County on June 23, 1935, and was the daughter of the late Jay Mattox and Bessie Rucker Mayberry. She passed away at the Gordon Hospice House in Statesville on Thursday, February 27, 2020, following a brief illness.
She attended Happy Plains School and at an early age became a member of St. Joseph Baptist Church. In her later years she became a member of First Greater Living Missionary Baptist Church, and later a member of Pilgrim Baptist Church. She was employed by Duke University for fifteen years and worked for Governor James Holshouser. Affectionately known as “Ma Minnie”, she was an avid cook and well known for her baking.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Willie Lee Miller, two brothers, Leroy Mattox and John David Mayberry, and a sister, Elizabeth Bostic.
She leaves to cherish the memory of her life, a son, James H. Miller of Jacksonville, NC; four daughters, Barbara Allison, Kathy (James) Simpson, Brenda (Rodney) Bennett and Pamela (Ryan) Turner, all of Statesville; two daughters-in-law, Mary Jane Miller and Josephine Miller, both of Statesville; one sister, Sally M. Howard; thirteen grandsons and one granddaughter, William Miller, Sanford Gaines, Jr., Patrick Miller, Milton Gaines, Janaun (LaShon) Gaines, Willie (Denetrious) Miller, Torrey Miller, Gary (Tracee) Miller, Kennen Miller, Duran (Tandra) Allison, Jamie (Coleman) Davidson, Keran Miller, Lelan Miller, Tiewon (Tylisa) Miller; fifty-three great grandchildren; nine great great grandchildren; many foster children; a special niece, Peggie Rucker; her godchildren, Sylvia Davis, Doretha (Tony) Quick, Dora Johnson, Brenda (Thomas) Simpson, Rosa (Todd) Steele, Toni Morrison, Beverly Barber, Shelia Wilson, Traci Tomlin, and Dora Johnson; a special friend, Olean Williams; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, church family, other relatives and dear friends.
Celebration of Life Services will be conducted Sunday, March 1, 2020, at 2:00 p.m. at The Mary B. Bigham Memorial Chapel of Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home. Reverend Bobby Laws, pastor of Pilgrim Baptist Church #2 in Durham, NC will officiate and burial will follow in the St. Joseph Baptist Church Cemetery. Mrs. Nelson will remain at Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home where members of the family will receive friends from 1:30 p.m. until 2:00 p.m., but will assemble at the residence of a daughter, Pamela (Ryan) Turner, 699 Allen Creek Road, Statesville, NC, at other times. Visit the Book of Memories for Mrs. Nelson at www.rutledgeandbigham.com. Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home is serving the Nelson Family.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Mrs. Minnie Lee Miller Nelson, was born in Iredell County on June 23, 1935, and was the daughter of the late Jay Mattox and Bessie Rucker Mayberry. She passed away at the Gordon Hospice House in Statesville on Thursday, February 27, 2020, following a brief illness.
She attended Happy Plains School and at an early age became a member of St. Joseph Baptist Church. In her later years she became a member of First Greater Living Missionary Baptist Church, and later a member of Pilgrim Baptist Church. She was employed by Duke University for fifteen years and worked for Governor James Holshouser. Affectionately known as “Ma Minnie”, she was an avid cook and well known for her baking.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Willie Lee Miller, two brothers, Leroy Mattox and John David Mayberry, and a sister, Elizabeth Bostic.
She leaves to cherish the memory of her life, a son, James H. Miller of Jacksonville, NC; four daughters, Barbara Allison, Kathy (James) Simpson, Brenda (Rodney) Bennett and Pamela (Ryan) Turner, all of Statesville; two daughters-in-law, Mary Jane Miller and Josephine Miller, both of Statesville; one sister, Sally M. Howard; thirteen grandsons and one granddaughter, William Miller, Sanford Gaines, Jr., Patrick Miller, Milton Gaines, Janaun (LaShon) Gaines, Willie (Denetrious) Miller, Torrey Miller, Gary (Tracee) Miller, Kennen Miller, Duran (Tandra) Allison, Jamie (Coleman) Davidson, Keran Miller, Lelan Miller, Tiewon (Tylisa) Miller; fifty-three great grandchildren; nine great great grandchildren; many foster children; a special niece, Peggie Rucker; her godchildren, Sylvia Davis, Doretha (Tony) Quick, Dora Johnson, Brenda (Thomas) Simpson, Rosa (Todd) Steele, Toni Morrison, Beverly Barber, Shelia Wilson, Traci Tomlin, and Dora Johnson; a special friend, Olean Williams; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, church family, other relatives and dear friends.
Celebration of Life Services will be conducted Sunday, March 1, 2020, at 2:00 p.m. at The Mary B. Bigham Memorial Chapel of Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home. Reverend Bobby Laws, pastor of Pilgrim Baptist Church #2 in Durham, NC will officiate and burial will follow in the St. Joseph Baptist Church Cemetery. Mrs. Nelson will remain at Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home where members of the family will receive friends from 1:30 p.m. until 2:00 p.m., but will assemble at the residence of a daughter, Pamela (Ryan) Turner, 699 Allen Creek Road, Statesville, NC, at other times. Visit the Book of Memories for Mrs. Nelson at www.rutledgeandbigham.com. Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home is serving the Nelson Family.