Sikeston, MO – Nellie Miller Wilson, 96, passed away peacefully on Oct. 13, 2020, at her home in Sikeston.
Born December 18, 1923 in Wardell, MO, she was the second daughter of Lonnie and Hester Miller. She spent her childhood in Wardell and graduated from Wardell Central High School. As valedictorian of her class, she was awarded a Regent’s Scholarship to Southeast Missouri State University. However, she postponed her education for a few years when she met Clyde Wilson. They married in 1942, moved to St. Louis and worked in the restaurant business. Clyde joined the army and Nellie followed him, first to Texas and then to Ft. Benning, Georgia. When her husband became a paratrooper and was sent to France, Nellie returned to St. Louis.
After the war, they bought a restaurant and over the next few years added two daughters to their family. Moving back to Portageville, MO, Nellie decided to return to education and was able to begin her teaching career as she completed her degree. She graduated from Arkansas State University in 1956 having already taught students in classes ranging from first through eighth grades as well as high school English.
The following year, Nellie and Clyde moved to Sikeston, Mo., and made it their home for life. Nellie got a position teaching 6th grade at Matthews School as their daughters grew up and graduated in the same school system. She transferred to the new Sikeston Middle School and, after receiving her Master’s Degree in Reading, became the Language Arts Department Head. Completing 37 years in public education, she remained there until her retirement in 1987.
Her talents brought her a great deal of respect in her professional career. She was listed in Outstanding Educators of America in 1971, named Sikeston Public Schools Teacher of the Year in 1987 and represented her district in multiple local, state and national activities. Following her retirement, Nellie and Clyde had only a few years together which were spent wintering in Hot Springs, AR and Florida and doing genealogy together. Clyde passed in 1992.
Nellie set the bar high in her professional career, but even higher in her personal life. She was a child’s best role model with her honesty, caring and supportive approach to parenting and her no nonsense response to most of life’s challenges. She set high expectations for herself and others – and then met or surpassed those expectations. She touched many lives and maintained lifelong friendships from former students, colleagues and others she met along the way.
For the past 28 years, Nellie has continued her genealogical exploration, served her community by making baby caps for the newborns at Missouri Delta Medical Center and quilts for charitable endeavors and taught countless children to read. Her avid support for the St. Louis Cardinals, which began by listening to games on the radio with her father, remained a lifelong joy to her. She also was a pillar of support for her immediate and extended family.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years; her parents Lonnie and Hester Miller; brothers Sam, John (Kathryn) and Doyle (Mary) and sisters Mittie, Dolly (Vetus) Montgomery and Velma (Eugene) Barnes and grandson DeLayne Lee DesChamp.
She is survived by daughters Donna (Ken) Stallings of Sikeston, MO and Brenda (Steve) Melcher of Sun City West, AZ. Also surviving are brother L.J. (Barbara) Miller of Farmington, MO, and sister Linda (Jerry) Patterson of Rogers, AR along with 4 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.
Due to the Covid-19 risk at this time, the family has determined that there will be no public services.
Memorial Donations:
St. Jude Children's Hospital
262 Danny Thomas PI
Memphis, TN. 38105
On line condolences may be sent to www.nunneleefuneralchapel.com
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