MARTHA MARIE STILLWELL NELSON

 

Funeral Services for Martha Marie Stillwell Nelson, 87, were held on Sunday, February 9, 2025 at Starr Funeral Home in Hemphill, Texas with Bro. Gordon Simmons officiating.  Burial followed on Monday, February 10, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. in Restlawn Cemetery in Vidor, Texas under the direction of Starr Funeral.

Born on November 15, 1937, in Columbus, Georgia, she passed away peacefully on February 3, 2025, in El Campo, Texas. She was the beloved daughter of Thomas Woodruff Stillwell and Martha Mae Collins.

Marie spent her early years surrounded by siblings and cousins, creating cherished memories of adventure and laughter. She graduated from Vidor High School in 1956, forming lifelong friendships that she treasured throughout her life.

On October 1, 1956, Marie married Jackie Wayne Nelson and embarked on a journey that took them to Alaska during his service in the United States Navy. While in Alaska, she worked at the Navy Base commissary and embraced the joys of starting their family with the birth of their first child, Steven Wayne Nelson. 

After their time in Alaska, the family returned to Texas and was blessed with the arrival of two more children, Michael Marvin Nelson and Lori Louise Nelson Rives. Over the years, Marie held many roles that reflected her dedication and versatility. She worked at her family’s store in Vidor, taught at a church school, shared time working alongside her sons at McDonald’s, served as a caretaker, and held various other positions—all while fulfilling her role as a devoted homemaker.

She was an active member in her community. She volunteered at the VFW, the American Legion, the Busy Bees, the fire department, the Columbia Space Shuttle disaster relief, the Lions Club, Milam Settler’s Day, Chamber of Commerce, East Sabine County Nutrition Center, and helped with a community-wide recycling project. One of her favorite yearly activities was being Mrs. Claus in the local parade. Marie was a devout woman of faith. She attended the United Pentecostal Church in Rosevine, TX when at home and at Grace Point Community Church while staying in El Campo. While she was able, she had a radio broadcast that went out across East Texas where “Little Grannie” taught area children about the Bible and God’s love. She taught Sunday School at her church, and the children were always happy to learn about the scripture while they enjoyed a piece of the cake that she always had for them at the end of class.

Marie loved God, her family, and her country. Baking and feeding people were one of her many love languages, and rarely did she go anywhere without bringing them a cake. She loved to write poetry and had several poems submitted for publication. She traveled the world, and she never went anywhere without making a new lifelong friend. She could often be found singing along to oldies music while she worked on new creations in the kitchen. 

Remaining to cherish Marie’s memory are children, Steve and Kathy Nelson, Mike Nelson, & Lori and Elbert Rives; grandchildren, Eric Nelson, Steve and Dana Nelson, April and Michael Collins, Jennifer Nelson, Ashley and Bradley Barnes, Brittany Rives, and Kari and Andrew Kirfman; great-grandchildren, Chase Nelson, Sean Tyler Hill, Halle Nelson, Emmarie Barnes, Karleigh Hein, Oliver Collins, Hunter Nelson, Dylan Nelson, Lincoln Barnes, Elizabeth Collins, Finn Collins, Auden Kirfman, and Madeline Barnes.