Etta Nelms

Etta E. Nelms of Hayes Center died Tuesday, October 16, 2007 at the Heritage of Wauneta Nursing Home. She was 100.

She was born January 10, 1907 to John Henry and Melissa J. (Mulford) Lawson in Cambridge, Nebraska. She graduated from Bartley High School in 1926.

She married Vernie Ray Nelms on February 2, 1927 in Bartley. To this union three children were born, Leonard, LaVerna and Doris. They were owners and operators of Nelms Grocery Store in Hayes Center for 25 years. They retired in 1976.

She was an active member of Bethel Baptist Church, the American Legion Auxiliary, and the Federated Women’s Club. She was also active in the Hayes Center Senior Center.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Melissa Lawson; her husband, Vernie Nelms on January 21, 1988; six brothers, Clifford, Howard, Elvert, Frank, Jim and Lloyd Lawson; one sister, Clesta Lawson; sisters-in-law Nettie Lawson and Leona Lawson; and two grandsons, David Vlasin and Regan Vlasin.

She is survived by her son, Leonard Nelms and wife, Iris of Hayes Center; daughters, LaVerna Scott and husband, Roland of Emporia, Kansas and Doris Vlasin and husband, Joe of Hayes Center; sister Carrie Max of Cambridge; two sisters-in-law, May Lawson of Cambridge and Dara Lawson of Josuha Tree, CA; nine grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.

Memorials were to be given in her name.

Funeral services were Monday, October 22, 2007, 2:00 p.m. at Bethel Baptist Church in Hayes Center with Pastor Gaylord DeMoure officiating. Burial took place in the Hayes Center Cemetery.

Carpenter Breland Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

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