EMMA B. NELSON

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Emma Blanding Nelson, 105, was born Aug. 9, 1909, to the late Bessie Sherrod and Flander Blanding Sr. She departed her peaceful life at her home surrounded by her family on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2014.

Emma was married to her husband of 68 years, the late George Nelson Sr., and to this union three children were born.

Emma accepted Christ at an early age and was a member of Jehovah Baptist Church under the leadership of the Rev. B.F. Weston. She later moved to Brooklyn, New York. She joined Friendship Baptist Church, where she was a member of the Missionary Ministry and South Carolina Club.

She was a domestic worker for a prominent New York lawyer for more than 45 years. Emma was a strong determined woman who spoke her mind, yet she was a loving, kind and generous woman. She was an excellent cook, her specialty being her fabulous yeast rolls. After retirement, she enjoyed fishing with her husband and sons. Emma later moved back to Sumter after retirement in New York.

She was preceded in death by one son, George Nelson Jr.; two grandsons, Carl A. Nelson and Cornell Burroughs; one grandson-in-law, Julious C. Bingham; five brothers; and three sisters.

She leaves to mourn her passing one daughter, Wilhelmenia (Samuel) Sanders of Sumter; one son, James (Lillian C.) Nelson of Brooklyn, New York; one sister, Catherine Ballard of Brooklyn, New York; daughter-in-law Rebecca W. Nelson of Sumter; grandchildren Loretta N. Bingham, Ruth A. Butler, Willie J. (Betty) Nelson, George E. (Karen) Nelson, Curtis (Mary) Nelson, Lou Ella (Booker T) McGee, Valerie Wells of Sumter, Arleen N. (Edward ) Clark of Eutawville and James A. Nelson of Syracuse, New York; 25 great-grandchildren; 27 great-great grandchildren; three great-great-great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

Public viewing will be held on Monday from 2 to 7 p.m. at Job's Mortuary.

The body will be placed in the church on Tuesday at noon for viewing until the hour of service. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Jehovah Missionary Baptist Church, 803 South Harvin St. in Sumter, with the Rev. Dr. Marion H. Newton, pastor, officiating. Interment will follow in Greenhill Baptist Church Cemetery in Alcolu.

Family will be receiving friends at the home, 1818 Appaloosa St. in Sumter. Job's Mortuary Inc., 312 S. Main St., is in charge of arrangements.

Online memorials may be sent to the family at jobsmortuary@sc.rr.com, or visit us on the web at www.jobsmortuary.net.