The Life of Mary Wade Nelson
Mary Frances Wade Nelson of Roanoke, Va., went to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, February 12, 2024, at the beautiful age of 95 years young. The Heaven certainly gained a one-of-a-kind angel, and she was welcomed with trumpets. She was born on November 12, 1928, in Roanoke, Va., and is preceded in death by her husband, Richard (Dick) and brothers, Ralph and Lawrence Wade. She is survived by her son, Steve Nelson and daughter, Jill Nelson Vaeth. She has three adored grandchildren, granddaughter Kelley McNamee (Vaeth) and husband, Ryan; grandson, James Vaeth and wife, Alyssa; and the youngest grandson, Mark Vaeth. She was also blessed with two great-grandchildren, Emma Charlotte and Amelia Rose McNamee. Mary also had a special goddaughter in her life, Leigh Ann Hannabass-Murray. She is survived by several nieces and nephews, as well as great nieces and nephews.
Mary lived in Roanoke her entire life and grew up in the Rugby area. She was active in her time at Jefferson High School (Class of 1947), where she was class president, in a sorority and the drama club. It was there she met Dick at a high school dance and the rest was history.
Mary held many jobs over the years, but she finished her working career at APCO. She first worked in the customer services department and even became the model for their new night deposit box and ended her long career as a PBX operator.
Mary was loved by many friends who quickly became like family, and she never met a stranger. Mary attended Woodlawn United Methodist Church and was an adopted member at Grandin Court Baptist Church. She went by many names, Mom, Mama, Mother Mary, Grandma, and Mudda. She loved her daily talks on the phone with her loved ones and she was not one to sit still even in her later years.
Always ready for an adventure! Her life was full, her heart was one of the most giving that ever was and she will be greatly missed.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org. This was a special place in Mary’s heart for David and Trish Bradford!
A service will be held at Evergreen Burial Park in the Mausoleum at 11 a.m. on Monday, February 19, 2024. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.Oakeys.com.
Arrangements by Oakey’s Funeral Service – South Chapel, Roanoke, VA (540) 989-3131.