Betty Nelson

Betty Lou Nelson VIRGINIA BEACH - Betty Lou Nelson went to meet her Lord Tuesday morning, Nov. 30, 2010. She was predeceased by her parents, Nathan and Lilly Ford; a son, Joseph Frederick Reynolds; her sisters, Elsie Hardy, Hilda Alderman and Peggy Joyce Kimnach; and her brothers, Johnny Spencer Ford and Nathan D. Ford Jr. She was born in Bethel, N.C., and lived in Tarboro, N.C., until she moved to Washington, D.C., to become a long distance telephone operator. She later worked for Airoplane Corporation in Norfolk as a bookkeeper for many years. She was a self-employed tailor and started Betty's Tailors & Supplies in Virginia Beach. After closing her business, she wanted to be a foster parent, and eventually cared for more than 35 children. After that, she opened a family day home and helped raise many children until November 2009. She was Nana to most of the children and was well-loved by them all. She is survived by her loving husband, Robert H. Nelson; a son, Alfred Perry Tetterton of Winterville, N.C.; a daughter, Catherine A. Besette of Portsmouth, N.H.; her daughter-in-law, Nathalie Leatherwood; her stepson, Daniel R. Nelson of Massachusetts; grandsons, Nikolas Reynolds, Eric Todd Tetterton; granddaughters, Tiffany Carlson and her husband Daniel, Tanya Reynolds, Tara and Teah Leatherwood; a great-grandson, Parker Carlson; and numerous nieces and nephews. Betty had a good heart and no one was a stranger to her. She will be missed by all. May she rest in peace. The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. prior to the service. The funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, at Rosewood Kellum Funeral Home. You may offer condolences to the family at www.kellumfuneralhome.com.