Nellie Holly Angle

Dec. 24, 1932 – Dec 28, 2022

Nellie joined her three big brothers on Christmas Eve in Thatcher, Arizona. She was the fifth child of eight to be born to Noble and Eva (Thorstensen) Perkins.

Nellie loved to dance. It was at a dance that her brother Eugene introduced her to his Army buddy, Doug Holly. He was tall, dark, handsome, and it was love at first sight. Nellie and Doug married on April, 4, 1951 in his home town of Peoria, Arizona. As Doug’s US Army, and later Border Patrol, and Immigration and Naturalization Service assignments took him to many different stations, Nell kept the children and household together, move after move, state after state. Nell and Doug had five children during their 33 years together, and were living in Las Vegas when she became a widow in 1984.

Family was always the center of Nellie’s life. She loved her children and raised them to be respectful and kind to everyone. When her children were grown and on their own paths in life, Nellie went home again, to Graham County. Over the years, she had stayed close to her sister-in-law Shirley and wanted to spend the last part of her life near her Perkins family.

On January 4, 1999, Nellie Perkins Holly married Lyle Eugene Angle. They shared many happy hours photographing fiddlers’ events and selling produce from their Garden of Eatin’ at farmers’ markets.

Nellie always enjoyed crocheting, knitting, sewing, and quilting. She patiently taught anyone who was interested, not just the basic stitches, but also that if something is worth making, it is worth making right! She created so many beautiful items, all of the personalized gifts made with so much love. Nellie had a big heart, shared smiles and kind words with everyone, and loved unconditionally.

Left to remember her love and hold in their hearts are her children, Karen Bailey, Lorretta (David) Bond, Jeanette (Tim) Gordon, Connie Foreman, and Stephen (Heather) Holly, and stepdaughter Roberta (Ray) Milligan; her 11grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren.

Grandchildren: Jessica Watson, Sarah Gibbs, Katrina Six, Sabrina Wilson, Rebekah Bailey; Sean Gordon, Anne Van Gorp; James Foreman; Emma, Brook, and Carly Holly.

Great Grandchildren: Anthony and Ethan Watson; Teresa Mofford, Joey and Gannon Gibbs; Owen, Shane, and Parker Six; Nicholas and Liam Wilson; Piper Arce; Luke and Nathan Gordon; Shelby, Isabella, and Lucy Van Gorp.

A graveside service for Nellie will be held Thursday, January 5, 2023 from 12:30 PM to 1:00 PM at South Lawn Cemetery, 5401 South Park Ave, Tucson, AZ 85706. Following the graveside service will be a reception from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Funeraria del Angel South Lawn, 5401 South Park Ave, Tucson, AZ 85706.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.funerariadelangelSL.com for the Angle family.