Virgil Edmund Nelson

Virgil Edmund Nelson, age 83, died on Friday; September 1, 2006 in Madison County, AL. He attended public schools in Hancock County, MS, and college in New Orleans, LA. He participated in combat in the South Pacific Theater during WW II as a member of the 31st Infantry (Dixie Division). By direction of the President, he was awarded a ""Bronze Star'' for exemplary conduct in ground combat against the armed enemy on or about Sept. 15, 1944. He was also awarded the ""Air Force Commendation'' medal for meritorious service as Administrative Supervision, Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Montgomery, AL, from November 16, 1961 to June 30, 1964. He retired from the Air Force on June 30, 1964, after serving 22 years and 10 months in the U.S. Armed Services. He retired from Martin Marietta Aerospace, New Orleans, LA in March 1988, as a Senior Safety Engineer. He was a member of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Field Federal Safety and Health Council, American Society of Safety Engineers, National Management Society and Delta Safety Society. Virgil and his wife, Mary, became members of the Tammany Twirlers Square and Round Dance Club in 1966. They continued to enjoy square dancing throughout the years, but round dancing was their true love. They enjoyed dancing with the local Twirl-A-Round Dance Club in Slidell, and were also members of the Tic Toc Round Dance Club in Gulfport, MS. The Nelsons were members of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic church before St. Margaret Mary Church came into existence. Mr. Nelson served on OLL Parish council under the leadership and guidance of Fr. Timothy Pugh. He attended St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church since it first establishment and was one of the original members of its Parish Council. He and his wife were also members of the church ""His Praise Prayer Group'' and served as ""Eucharistic Ministers'' at Holy Mass and also carried our Eucharistic Lord to patients in Slidell Memorial Hospital and to home-bound parishioners. He was a member of Knights of Columbus Council No. 2732 for many years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Oloff Edmund and Mary Diana Williams; his brother, Barney Belton Nelson; sisters, Mamie Ira Ellen (Nelson) Jones and Orianona Ruby (Nelson) Fleming. Survivors include his wife, Mary Yoski Funuta Nelson of 55 years, formerly of Honolulu, Hawaii; three daughters, Lori Leilani Nelson, and her two daughters, Sarah Jayne and Emily Astrid Berger of Thomasville, GA; Ramona Sue Yee, and her daughter, Sabrina Seto Yee of Newark, CA; and Patricia Anne Swart and her son, Alexander Nelson Swarr of Madison, AL. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Funeral Mass at HONAKER FUNERAL HOME in Slidell on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2006 at 2:00 P.M. with visitations between 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. Arrangements by Honaker Funeral Home, Inc., Slidell, LA.