Elva ‘Irene’ Nelson, 95, of Bryan passed from this life as a loving daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt and friend on Monday, August 19, 2013. Her family will receive visitors from 5 until 7pm on Thursday, August 22nd, at Callaway-Jones Funeral Home, 3001 South College Ave in Bryan. A graveside memorial service will be held on August 23rd at 10:00 am, at Rest-Ever Memorial Park, 5103 North Texas Avenue in Bryan with Pastor Don Amundson officiating.

Irene was born to Elmer Littleton and Josie Hathcock Duncan on August 7, 1918 near Gatesville, Texas. One of eleven children, she was raised in Dublin, Texas. She married Benjamin Nelson in Galveston, Texas in 1941 and they had three children; Joyce, Sharon and Charles. After their move to Bryan in 1960, the family opened Nelson Cafe and Mary Carter Paint Store at 305 Dodge Street. Irene continued to reside and work in Bryan after her children were grown. She was a talented, self-taught clothing reweaver for over forty years and was known and respected for her work in the B/CS community.

Irene gathered and pampered her family whenever possible. It made her so happy to get the family together and cook a meal for them. Most of the time she stayed busy in the kitchen, but enjoyed listening to the family visit with one another. For her, God and family was what life was all about. Irene had her strong faith in God and was a member of Grace Communion International. She enjoyed nothing more than to hold bible studies with a group from church; always remembering to include additional friends and family members.

Irene was an amazing gardener; self-educated through years of reading and research. She was a naturalist and enjoyed every aspect of her garden. She grew a garden annually up to this, her 95th year. She kept the family stocked with fresh vegetables from her garden and taught many of her grandchildren and great grandchildren about gardening.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Josie Duncan; husband, Benjamin Nelson; daughter, Sharon Nelson Beatty; son, Charles Nelson; grandson, Martin Beatty and nine of ten siblings; Adell Spinks, I.C. Duncan, Luther Duncan, Opal Tanner, Oleta Murray, Vera Funk, James Duncan, Hope Schiller and Marie Rose.

She is survived by her baby sister, Wanda Porter; daughter, Joyce Nelson Amason and husband Jerry and daughter-in-law, Rita Nelson Jones. She is also survived by numerous grand and great-grand children; Karl Nelson and wife Melanie of College Station, TX; Laura Olexey and husband Martin of Bryan, TX; Dana Tobeck and husband Greg of Houston, TX; Tamara Paulos and husband Clay of Roswell, NM; Rena Krause and husband Edwin of Ruidoso, NM; Jamie Patrick and husband James of LaMarque, TX; Jennifer Nash and husband James ‘Bubba’ of Alvin, TX; Jayson Amason and wife Nicole of Seadrift, TX; Jerry Amason, Jr. and wife Kristine of Corpus Christi, TX; Jana Estes and husband Eric of Seadrift, TX; Edwina Rittenhouse and husband Scott of Colorado; Ben Beatty of Florida; David Beatty and wife Courtney; Henry (Hank) Beatty and Charles (Chuck) Beatty. To add to her blessings are great-grandchildren Lauren, Amanda and Rachel Nelson; Victoria Olexey; Reagan Tobeck; Kristyn and Kathryn Paulos; Charli and Erica Krause; John Wesley, Josh and Jeff Murello; Jake and Haley Nash; Jayseigh and Chase Amason; Jessica Amason; Jayle and Justice Cunningham, Tesa Hubbell and Joey Estes; Scott, Keith and Christopher Rittenhouse; Sharon Beatty; Morgan, Mason and Madelyn Beatty; children of Henry (Hank) Beatty and children of Charles (Chuck) Beatty.

Pallbearers for the graveside service are Jerry Amason, Jr., James Patrick, James ‘Bubba’ Nash, Jayson Amason, Martin Olexey, Karl Nelson, Greg Tobeck and Eric Estes.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hospice of South Texas, 605 East Locust Avenue, Victoria, TX, 77901.