Joyce "Jo" Nelson

Joyce Elva Cate Nelson

August 2, 1943 - December 27, 2025

With great sorrow and "love you mores" our beloved Mama, Nanny, and Grammy went to her heavenly home on December 27, 2025, at Methodist Medical Center. Our lives will forever be changed and broken with her not in it.

She fought valiantly, and her strength inspired us all. Surrounded by her family who loved her, and she loved "more". We sang, shared memories, and loved on her, those are the good things that can never be taken away. We prayed and sang Amazing Grace over her, sending her home to her Lord.

Joyce "Jo" was born on August 2, 1943, to the late Arthur M. Cate and Laura Gann Cate. She was the youngest of 15 children, some of whom had died very young or at birth. Jo was a very proud member of Piney Grove Baptist Church in Heiskell, Tennessee, where she worshipped her Lord and Savior with great faith and was so very loved by her church. She loved Jesus so much that she gave a "Little Jesus" figure to all that visited her, cared for her, and some to those that just needed a prayer, over 100! This was her testimony of her great faith and love for her Jesus.

Her greatest enjoyment was being with all her babies, and there was many! She loved coloring and having someone color with her, playing Rummy, and it did not matter how bad she felt, as long and often as someone would play. She was the master of "Cheatery" and we loved it! She also loved doing Biblical word search, large print if you do not mind. She would also watch Hallmark Movies in those times when she did not feel well. There are so many memories and wonderful times, through the good times and bad times, she was our joy, purpose, and light. She was a joy and our honor to care for; she will be greatly missed, and the hole in our hearts will never mend. She loved all and was not ashamed to share those words and a hug. I promise that if she told you, she meant every word!

She is preceded in death by her loving husband, James "Jay" Dee Nelson, her precious daughter, Candese "Candy" Walker, her sisters, Lucille Loop and Trula Huskey, her brothers, Paul, Roy, Cecil, D.F., and Harold, and J.L. Cate.

She is survived by her daughters, Tonya (Jim) Davis and Tina (Mark) Foust. Her grandchildren are Nicole (Karl) Carpenter, Brittany (Trey) McLane, Chelsea Walker, Caleb Walker, and Morgan (Andrew) Davis. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren, Cole Carpenter, Kaleigh Carpenter, Jaxon Martin, Oliver Walker, Luke Nichols, and Paizlee Booth.

Pallbearers- Karl Carpenter, Cole Carpenter, Caleb Walker, Ethan Rudd, Andrew Booth, Trey McLane. Honorary Pallbearer - Jaxon Martin.

The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 pm, Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at Holley Gamble Funeral Home. Her funeral service will follow in the chapel with Brother Alvis Richardson and Brother Bill Smith officiating. Friends and family will meet at Holley Gamble Funeral Home at 10:15 am, Wednesday, December 31, 2025, and then proceed to Piney Grove Baptist Church Cemetery for an 11:00 am graveside service. Holley Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton is in charge of all arrangements. Holleygamble.com

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