Brenda Branch Nelson died in peace at her home surrounded by her family. Her parents, who were lifetime Cullman residents and who proceeded her to Heaven were I.C. and Elene Priest. Her younger sister, Rhonda Priest and her grandson, Dylan also proceeded her in death.
She is survived by her dear husband, Joseph Earl Nelson; sisters, Linda Schgier (Bill), Sharyne Wallace (AL), Connie Hale (Don); brother, Marlin Priest (Nan); three children, Dee Branch Park (Nathan), Andrea Branch Fields (Mark) and Todd Branch; immediate grandchildren, Austin (Renae), Nelson, Carson and Amelia Park, Drake (Alli), Trevan (Emily) and Daly Anderson; her nieces, Dr. Wendy (Jeff) Christiansen, Kim Wallace Drake, Callie Priest and Mera (Chris) Price; and nephews, Dr. Heath Hale and Justin (Jessica) Hale. Brenda is also survived by a large host of others from the loving and caring Nelson family.
Brenda was born in Cullman and attended public schools. She was an active member of the First Baptist Church from cradle roll until she moved to Birmingham in 1980. She attended nursing school at Wallace State Community College where she graduated Cum Laude. She received the prestigious Florence Nightingale Award upon graduation.
She started her nursing career at Carraway Methodist Medical Center and spent 22 years there caring for the sick. She helped open an Oncology unit on 6 North and worked that unit for 10 years. She then worked at out patient clinics including Medical & Radiation Oncology and Hospice. As the doors of this great institution closed, she went to UAB Radiation Oncology for 15 years until she retired in 2013.
Her patients were her passion. Caring for their many needs, talking, praying, laughing, crying and simply being there with no words to say. She loved the many doctors she worked with and said many times how blessed she was to work with some of the smartest people in the world. Nothing, other than the love for her God, husband, family and children, could take the place of the love she had for her fellow nurses and coworkers. They anticipated each others thoughts and needs and worked many long hours, loving every minute of it. Friends to never be forgotten. On her days off she would work at the American Red Cross drawing blood at blood drives all over central Alabama.
After being single for 30 years, she met the love of her life, Joe Nelson. They had 6 years of unbelievably wonderful times blessed by God. He was her best friend, lover, dance partner, golf buddy but most all her spiritual leader in their home.
Brenda has been a believer in Our Lord Jesus Christ since the age of 12 and attended church faithfully. The church she most recently attended until her death was the beloved Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, please give to Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church or the American Cancer Society.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until her celebration of life service from 12-1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019 at Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church, 5080 Cahaba Valley Trce, Birmingham.
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