Brenda Eileen Nelson

She was born March 19, 1948 in Atlanta, Georgia to Donald and Ellen Nelson. She raised three children on her own while teaching in the Ysleta Independent School District in El Paso, Texas. She loved teaching her students to read. Brenda was a lifelong elementary educator who believed education was instrumental to society and success. She spent her life loving and serving the Lord. Growing up in the Salvation Army, she was dedicated to helping people with their spiritual and basic needs. She enjoyed traveling and loved animals. She never said no to any stray animal that her children brought home.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Donald T. Nelson and Ellen Lynn Nelson of Tyler.

Survivors include sister Linda Ellen Nelson Thrasher of Lumberton, NC, daughters, Wendy Eileen Watson and husband Brad of Arlington, TX, Elizabeth Rodarte and husband Chris of Austin, TX and Israel Alexander Arteaga and wife Melissa of Bradenton, FL and seven grandchildren, Gabriella Lissette Arteaga-Rodarte of Austin, Alexis Nicole Arteaga of Huntsville, Joshua Terry Watson of Arlington, Christian Daniel Rodarte of Austin, Jakob Ethan Rodarte of Austin, Isabella Grace Arteaga of Bradenton and Mattias Alexander Arteaga of Bradenton.

She will be laid to rest at Moore Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Arlington, TX. Memorials may be made to Moncrief Cancer Institute in honor of Brenda Nelson to provide mammogram testing and outreach.