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Sheila Nelson Obituary
SOUTH BEND - Minister Sheila Elizabeth Watson Nelson, 40, of South Bend, Indiana, was redeemed from this life on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2008, in Memorial Hospital. Minister Sheila was a lifelong resident of South Bend, Indiana, born on October 4, 1968, to Mrs. Willie L. (Berry) Gathright, and the late Reverend Chester Field Watson Sr. She graduated from Riley High School in 1987, was an employee of Meijers for the past eight years, and was a student of IVY Tech Community College, South Bend. Minister Sheila was a faithful, dutiful member to River of Life Family Church, and received her minister's license in June 2004. Minister Sheila Elizabeth Watson Nelson leaves behind to cherish her memory two sons, Marion Alexander Nelson Jr. and Marcus Andrew Nelson; her mother, Mrs. Willie L. Gathright; sisters and stepsisters, Clara M. Taylor and Barbara J. Williams of South Bend, Indiana, Minister Sylvia A. (Roosevelt) Harris of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Elaine Jenkins and Nancy McLendon of Benton Harbor, Michigan; brothers and stepbrothers, Thomas E. Berry of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and David V. Berry, Minister Willie W. Berry, Reverend Aaron Gathright, Jerry Gathright and Joe Gathright of South Bend, Indiana, Zeb Gathright Jr. of Indianapolis, Indiana, Reverend Nathaniel Gathright and Stephen Watson of Benton Harbor, Michigan, Jessie (Connie) Watson of Oak Park, Illinois, and Chester Watson Jr. of Chicago, Illinois. Also left to treasure the memory of Sheila are one uncle and a host of aunts, nieces, nephews, great- and great-great-nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. Minister Sheila Elizabeth Watson Nelson was preceded in death by her paternal and maternal grandparents, and by her father, Reverend Chester Field Watson Sr. Funeral services for Minister Sheila Nelson will be held on Wednesday, December 31, in the River of Life Family Church, 530 E. Ireland Road, South Bend, Indiana. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m., with funeral services starting at noon. Burial will follow services at Southlawn Cemetery. The Clark O'Neal Funeral Home has been entrusted with funeral arrangements.
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Memories and Condolences
for Sheila Nelson
Tammie Thompson
January 12, 2009
To the family I send my deepest sympathy, such a beautiful person will be missed with nothing but great memories.
Love Tammie & Laray
(from Grant St.)
Barbara Edwards
January 5, 2009
To the family I want to express my sincere condolences on the loss of one of God's soldiers. She was also a songbird that filled the room with His presence whenever she opened her mouth in song. She will be missed but know that she is resting safely in the arms of our Lord and Savior.
Earvin Gathright Jr.
January 4, 2009
My tears flow with sadness, but my spirit knows you are in a heavenly place. With much love to the Watson Nelson's and Gathright's families
Kim Kilgore
January 2, 2009
To the family: May you find strength in the Lord during this time.
Janie Plump
January 1, 2009
Minister Sheila will be missed, I am a member of River of Life Family Church. I didn't know Sheila personally, but I do remember her smiling face. My prayers go out to her family.
Lisa, Brandon, and Bryce
December 31, 2008
Our hearts go out to you at this time and in the days ahead.
Ruby F. Allen and Family
December 31, 2008
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Deacon & Sis. Willie & Dorothy Carter
December 31, 2008
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
Jaclyn Chever
December 31, 2008
I was Shelia's landlord. Over the time she had spent here with us I will always remember how kind and thoughtful and hard working she was. To her boys I hope you can find comfort knowing she was a very blessed woman. God bless to her entire family as you go thru this time of loss.
Gloria Buckhanon
December 31, 2008
It is my prayer that your faith and trust in God will sustain each of you during this difficult time. My prayers and thoughts are with you and the Gathright, Williams, Taylor, and Berry families. God Bless.
The Watford Family
December 31, 2008
We were so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow. May your memories bring you comfort.
ANGELA HASKEL
December 31, 2008
Sheila you will be greatly missed. I can remember all the fun we use to have back in the day when we were young then became mothers. The fun we had at McDonalds we had a fun crew. I will miss all the talks and fun we had laughing and talking about all the things we wanted to accomplish in life. I will truely miss you and talking about how fast the boys have grown and how time has just flown by since we became mothers. God Bless You and all of your loved ones.
JoAnn Reed
December 31, 2008
Sheila was a faithful, shining star for Jesus during her journey here on this earth. She was a beautiful example of how we are to walk this walk of faith without murmuring or complaining.
Sheila always had a smile no matter what she was going through. Her sweet, quiet spirit was always present.
Sheila, we love you and miss you, and we are praying that God will comfort your loved ones as only He can.
Until we meet again.
The Manns Family- James, Angela, Malik and Joshua Manns
December 31, 2008
May God comfort Sheila's family and friends during this time of thier loss but Heaven's gain. Our prayers are with you. Numbers 6:24-26.
Soydonya Young
December 31, 2008
Sheila was a co-worker of mine at Meijer. I am so very thankful that I had the pleasure of being blessed with her gracious spirit! Even though we worked different shifts (with a slight overlap), I was fortunate enough to be able to chat with her a moment here and there, while I shopped. The cereal aisle will never be the same!
My deepest sympathy goes out to her family and close friends. Everyone who knew her knew that she definitely was prepared for any and everything that could possibly happen. May her sons find some sort of comfort in knowing how much joy their mom brought to us all.
Mosetta "Sugar" Horton
December 30, 2008
God Bless your family and all of us friends who will miss you and your big smile and kind heart!
I just really can't believe that she has left us, but I know that she will be looking down on us all!!
Alesia Ivory
December 30, 2008
To the family, my deepest sympathy goes out to you. Shelia was more than just a friend, she was more like a sister to me. We all grew up together first just playing together,than going to church together, she was one that took her relationship with god to a total different level which inspired us to do the same. The last time I talked to Shelia, it was right before winter break from school at Ivy-tech, she told me that we had to encourage each other, and to keep each other lifted up,,,,well my sister...I'll always remember those words which will help me to encourage somebody and keep them lifted up.....I'll miss your smile.........Love Lisa Ivory
Deborah Allen
December 30, 2008
We love and miss you with all our hearts!
Love,
The Allens
Deacon Clifford and Sis. Debra Clark
December 30, 2008
Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.
Sis. Williams, we Love you and you can't do nothing about it!!!
Mary McMann
December 30, 2008
I AM MARY MCMANN AND WAS SHEILA'S HIGH SCHOOL FRENCH TEACHER AT RILEY. I HAD RECENTLY SEEN HER at MCDONalD'S. IT WAS HER SMILING EYES THAT I RECOGNIZED THat day 2 weeks ago. she even spoke french with me. the world has loST AN ANGEL.
Traci J. Gammage
December 30, 2008
Sorry to hear of your loss. I pray God's blessings upon you Min. Willie Berry and your family.
CORA MINCY/ BUCKINGHAM
December 30, 2008
TO THE FAMILY OF SHEILA, I ASK THAT GOD WILL GIVE YOU ALL THE PEACE AND COMFORT THAT YOU WILL NEED DURING THIS HURTING TIME. MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU.
Melva Maefield
December 30, 2008
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Evelyn Mitchell
December 30, 2008
God Bless Your Family.
LaShanda Bates
December 30, 2008
Sheila, I did'nt know you personally but I was one the drivers who got out to help you that morning. May God watch over your family in their time of grief. God bless you all.
Reggie White
December 30, 2008
It seems like yesterday we were at Riley, I havent seen you since high school, but you were always my friend. GOD Bless the family through this difficult time, I will celebrate your life, like I cherished our friendship.
Craig Perry
December 30, 2008
sheila i may not have got the chance to meet you but in my heart and by spirit we did meet each other and one day we will diffently meet face to face when i go threw them golden gates of heaven you are a true angel of god and no one can replace you my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family memebers in this time of need my god bless you and keep you safe on your journy to heaven
Craig Perry
December 30, 2008
sheila i may not have got the chance to meet you but in my heart and by spirit we did meet each other and one day we will diffently meet face to face when i go threw them golden gates of heaven you are a true angel of god and no one can replace you my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family memebers in this time of need my god bless you and keep you safe on your journy to heaven
Stephen Hardy
December 30, 2008
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Uronda Ewing & Family
December 30, 2008
She will be greatly missed; and most of all I will miss her smile and the joy she share with me. May God Bless and keep the family.
Lorenzo Davis
December 30, 2008
Sheila is somebody who will be greatly missed. She was an individual who always had a smile on her face, and always had a kind word to say. She was a person who was excited about what life held for her in the future, and was never afraid to spread the word of God around. I pray that God continues to bless her boys and uplift them in this time of sorrow.
Lonnie and Charlotte Taylor
December 30, 2008
Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.
Darrin and Tina Taylor
December 30, 2008
May God Bless you all during this difficult time. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and the Gathright, Taylor and Berry families. God Bless.
Deacon Kevin and Tamara Pinkney
December 30, 2008
It was truely a shock to all of us, but at the same time a great joy, that you made it Sister. I love you, we love you. I thought to myself and I find that it is awesome that I find many cannot have the same testimony you have when they pass; everyone that speaks or has spoken of you can remember your smile; you gracious presence; even I can't see anything but that. You truely inspired all that you have come into contact with; and even in your passing, your life still speaks of what God has in store for those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and savior. Often times when you volunteered to help out whether at church or in any area, when you were asked what would you like to do to help, your response would always be "I just want to do whatever God wants me to do, I just want to please the Lord!" Well sister, you did it, your have pleased the Lord, and not only the Lord, but all of us who know you. We love you always.
Deacon Kevin, Sister Tamara Pinkney and the Kids!
Felicia Surratt-Barron
December 30, 2008
No bond is as great as that between a parent and child. My deepest condolences are with you as you grieve.
Dorothy Marshall
December 30, 2008
Sheila will be greatly missed by her cousins and all that knew her. However, we cherish the blessing that to be absent from this life is to be present with the Lord. Rest in Peace. Her cousins, the Watson's in Grand Rapids
Sally Simkins
December 30, 2008
Thank you for giving Sheila to us. Though it was a short time she was an inspiration to all of us. It was rare to not see her smiling or hear her singing.
Our thoughts and prayers are with her family.
All of us at Meijer extend our deepest sympathy.
SAINT CLAIR POINDEXTER
December 30, 2008
My dear friend Sheila may God bless you and your family.
We love you dearly.
Sanit Clair Poindexter & Family
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