Hazel Ruth (Lawson) Nelson

She was born December 20, 1928 in Vandervoort, Arkansas and moved to Sand Mountain, Alabama as a child. She received her RN nursing degree from Holy Name of Jesus Hospital in Gadsden. She met her future husband, Ralph Nelson during this time. She captivated his heart with her warm smile and brown eyes. They were married April 20, 1950 and celebrated 57 years together. For many years she volunteered in First Baptist Church of Huntsville's English Second Language program. Her kind heartedness knew no bounds. She often offered rides to those who needed a way to church, made phone calls to shut-ins, visited nursing home residents regularly and served many others with her benevolent acts. She lovingly cared for her family in many sacrificial ways. Some of the joys of her life were traveling with her husband in Campers on Mission, vacationing with her family, and camping and fishing on Lake Guntersville. She also spent countless hours gathering and preserving fruits from her orchard, vegetables from the garden and cultivating flowers and landscape plants. Being an exceptional seamstress, she made quilts for all 8 of her grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents Luther and Gene Lawson, brother Lloyd Lawson, and her husband Ralph Nelson. She is survived by daughter Janice Owen (Wayne), son Roger Nelson (Donna), daughter Melanie Battles (John), daughter Tamara Carlisle (Tony); grandchildren Amelia Estes (Shawn), Laura Thornton Pearson, Brent Owen (Valerie), Katelyn Owen, Elizabeth Kuy (Vania), Timothy Nelson, Jessica Battles and Rebecca Thompson; great-grandchildren Silas Estes, Isabelle Estes, Taylor Owen, Sarah Thornton, Collin Owen, Alton Pearson, Ava Joy Battles, Adeline Thompson, Aleese Thompson and Alex Thompson: brothers Duane Lawson and Gary Lawson; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Friday, June 9, 2023 from 1:30pm-3:00pm in the Chapel at Valhalla Funeral Home, 698 Winchester Rd NE, Huntsville AL, 35811 with Funeral service to follow at 3:00pm with David Gunn officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Gideons International, Morningside Baptist Church or Hillwood Baptist Church.