Purvis "Ed" Nelson

A memorial service for Purvis ‘Ed’ Nelson, 85, of Tyler, will be held on Monday, February 18, 2013 at 2:00 PM at Marvin United Methodist Church with Dr. John Robbins officiating. A reception will follow in the church parlor. A family graveside service will be held prior to the service in Bascom Cemetery. Purvis (Ed) Nelson was born in Natchez, MS on September 24, 1927. He passed away February 16, 2013 under the loving care of Hospice of East Texas Home Place. After graduating from Natchez High School in 1945, ‘Bumps”, as everyone in Natchez knew him, was drafted into the US Army Air Corps and served in Guam at the very end of WWII. Returning from the war, he attended Ole Miss, where he was a Phi Kappa Psi, and graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Geology. His career began with Core Laboratories. While working a well in North Louisiana, a blind date became a 54 year marriage to the beautiful Juanita “Nita” Sanford. They moved more than a dozen times before living in Tyler where their son David was born in 1956. In 1959, Ed began a 35 year career as a manufacturer’s representative for the Weiser and Falcon Lock Companies in Shreveport, St. Louis and Orlando, earning certification as a Architectural Hardware Consultant. Ed and Nita loved to travel even though he travelled weekly throughout his career. With friends Ruth and Paul, they visited all 48 continental United States and Canada-most on long road trips! They retired to Tyler in 1995 to be closer to their families and especially their grandson, Matt, and enjoyed great times together until Nita passed away in 2006. Little did they know, the little red head they saw at church every Sunday would one day be their “granddaughter-in-law”, Michelle. Ed was an active member of Marvin United Methodist Church where he greeted in early Worship and manned the controls for the Friendly Bible Class radio broadcast. With his gift of hospitality, he served on the Administrative Board and Evangelism Committee. He spent many hours working on Mission Week, and enjoying the Grown-ups, and Wednesday Noon Laymen’s lunches. For many years, he coordinated the grocery bag ministry at Salvation Army Christmas Red Kettle Bell Ringer. He was always there to offer a ride to friends or check on them in the hospital. He loved to read, and in earlier days liked to hunt and fish. He was a student of WW II history and loved to watch football on his big screen TV. He never met a stranger or forgot a name. He was blessed to live independently and always had a sharp mind. At his grandson’s wedding weekend in 2010, he met Dorothy Bailey of Shreveport and together they shared many wonderful times and family events together. He is survived by his sister, Betsy Feltus, of Natchez, Mississippi, his son, David and wife Terri of Tyler and his grandson, Matt and wife Michelle of Prairie Village, Kansas. Memorials may be made to Marvin United Methodist Church Mission Week, the Salvation Army or the Hospice of East Texas Foundation.

Purvis "Ed" Nelson

September 24, 1927 - February 16, 2013