Dorothy Jean Nelson

Dorothy “Dottie” Jean Baron Nelson, 84, passed away on July 24, 2024. Dorothy is survived by her husband, Steve Nelson, daughter Kimberly Giglio (Bill) of Orlando, and son Stephen, Jr. (Jennifer) of St. Augustine, She is also survived by her three grandsons, Keegan Nelms (Natalie), Cody James Nelson, Nicholas Fenway Giglio, cousins, Bonnie Confessore (John), Janet Aspinwall, and Billy Aspinwall, and nephews, John Baron Jr. and Kevin Baron (Susan), the children of her late and loving brother, Jack Baron.

Dorothy was born in Staten Island, NY, on July 23, 1941, to the late Lillian Nichol-Tynan. She spent her summers at the Moravian Summer Camp in upstate New York, where she began cultivating her lifelong love of music by taking voice lessons. At 15 years old, Dorothy’s family moved to Melbourne, FL during the heyday of Nasa’s Apollo missions. She graduated from Eau Gallie High School in 1959 and went on to become the youngest flight attendant ever hired by United Airlines. Dorothy had a passion for travel that made her job fulfilling, and this, combined with her natural beauty and effervescence, made her a valued employee and an exemplary flight attendant.

It was United that relocated Dorothy to Denver, where she met the love of her life, Steve Nelson. They began dating, which was interrupted when Steve joined the Marines. He was a model recruit and served for seven years. Their love endured, and they were married and recently celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary.

Dorothy’s love for her family and her faith was unwavering. She served as the team mom for Stephen’s little league baseball team, never missing a game and she took great pride in Kimberly’s high school dance group and swim competitions, always there supporting her daughter. Dorothy was particularly overjoyed when Kimberly became a follower of Jesus Christ at Windy Gap, a Young Life camp. In addition, she was the BEST grandmother to her three grandsons, always encouraging and supportive.

In addition to being a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, Dorothy was also a gifted, scholarship-awarded vocalist who was able to train with prominent teachers in New York City in her youth. As an adult, she was a welcomed soloist at weddings and church services, and her beautiful voice afforded her several opportunities to act on stage, including leading roles in the Sound of Music, Cabaret, and Guys and Dolls in local theaters. Additionally, her devotion and faith in Jesus Christ were evident to all who knew her through her constant presence in her church choirs, with many songs sung at Fort Caroline Presbyterian Church and later First Presbyterian Church in downtown Jacksonville. It is here that she developed life-long friendships. Dorothy loved her Sunday school classes and being a part of her church choir almost as much as she loved the Lord and her family. It was an honor and a privilege to hear her perform and we can only hope that she is now singing with the angels for all of eternity.

We are deeply grateful to the First Presbyterian visitation team for their unwavering support, bringing music to Dorothy when she could no longer perform herself. We are also extremely grateful to Dorothy’s dedicated and loving caregivers, Lydia Ansong, Temperance Fredrick, Felicia Haygood, Panchita McKenzie, and Shana Harris. Their love and service to Dorothy were not only inspiring but also a source of comfort and strength to all of us during her final days.

The Rev. Dr. Robert L. Morris, Jr., will conduct the service at the Corey-Kerlin Funeral Home (940 Cesery Boulevard, Jacksonville, Fl. 32211) at 11 a.m. on August 23rd. Following the service, family and friends will be received at a luncheon at the Cypress Village private dining room (4600 Middleton Park Cir. East, Jacksonville, FL).

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Ron Allen Ministries to help provide private Christian concerts to those in need. Checks can be mailed to: “Ron Allen Ministries Inc., 900 23rd Street North, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250” or given online at https://www.ronallenministries.com/.