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Ruth C. Nelson

Published/Last Modified on Sunday, Oct 07, 2007 - 05:10:29 am MST

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Aug. 1, 1930 - Oct. 2, 2007

Mrs. Ruth C. Nelson was born in Greenville, S.C., on Aug. 1, 1930, from the union of Mrs. Annie Mae Bennett and Mr. Courtney Furman Bennett.

She was called to be with the Lord on Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2007.

Ruth later moved to New York City, N.Y., where she attended Syracuse State Teachers College. She received her bachelor’s of science degree at Oswego, N.Y., in early childhood education. She later attended Columbia University in New York City, where she received her master’s degree in education and graduated suma cum laude.

Ruth became a highly skilled educator and taught elementary education in New York for five years. She then taught in Department of Defense Schools in Japan and Germany. She taught in the Sierra Vista Educational system for 30 years. She received numerous awards from many of the National Educational Associations and accolades from her professional peers. She was an “icon” in the community. Ruth was an educator for more than 50 years of her life.

While in Germany she married the love of her life, Mr. Theodore Nelson Jr. From this union were born three lovely children.

Ruth is survived by her husband, Theodore R. Nelson Jr. of Sierra Vista, Ariz.; a son, Theodore R. Nelson III of Mesa, Ariz.; two daughters, Val-Pamela (Craig) McGraw of Woodbridge, Va., and Melody R. (Robert) Herne of Queen Creek, Ariz.; a granddaughter, Brandie Marie Nelson of Mesa, Ariz.; a brother, Julius P. Bennett; and two sisters, Savannah and Shirley Bennett.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 8, 2007, at the Hatfield Funeral Home, 830 S. Highway 92, in Sierra Vista.

Funeral services will be at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2007, at the First Baptist Church of Sierra Vista, Seventh Street and Golf Links. Interment will follow at the Southern Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

Arrangements are by the Hatfield Funeral Home.

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TED wrote on Oct 20, 2007 4:03 AM:

" I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR THE KIND WORDS YOU HAVE SPOKE ABOUT MY MOTHER. THANK YOU. "

Julie wrote on Oct 17, 2007 2:35 PM:

" I am sorry for your loss Nelsons. Your mother was a great lady. I wish I could have been there to comfort you at your time of need. I love you guys. "

Sandy Bowling wrote on Oct 16, 2007 1:01 PM:

" I had the good fortune to teach with Ruth at Bella Vista Elementary School for several years. She was a mentor, friend and the best teacher I have ever known. Although we did not stay in touch, I often thought of her. I will truly miss her. "

Sue wrote on Oct 11, 2007 11:40 PM:

" Ruth was one of the good people of Sierra Vista from a bygone era. She will be missed. "

brandie nelson wrote on Oct 10, 2007 12:20 AM:

" i will always remember the way my grandmother smiled and how happy she always was . i remember my summer vacations and how we would always make lunch when it was time for grandpa to come home for lunch and just the smile on her face when he walked in the door was priceless . she was a wonderfull woman and we will miss her "

Me wrote on Oct 9, 2007 10:03 PM:

" Melody, I am sorry for your lost. "

elizabeth wrote on Oct 8, 2007 9:40 PM:

" I'll always remember Ruth singing "His eye is on the sparrow." And her joy. "

CC wrote on Oct 8, 2007 10:05 AM:

" Ruth was a friend of my late husband and mine. She sang one of our favorite songs during our wedding (1980), Ruth is in a better place now and looking down on all that loved her. "

Former Student wrote on Oct 7, 2007 6:28 AM:

" Mrs. Nelson was an incredible teacher with a caring heart and a soft spirit. She will be missed by all the students she touched and all the lives she influenced. "