Nonny Elizabeth Nelson's Obituary
On Monday, July 21, at 94 years and 7 months, Nonny, who loved to be called Ruth, entered God’s heavenly kingdom casting her crown at Jesus’ holy feet in all the splendor of her new glorified body. Ruth was surrounded by family at her home and eventually at her daughter, Teresa’s home, and her daughters held her hand and prayed as she departed this life.
Ruth was born to William Clayton Dennison and Ollie May Dennison on October 16, 1930 in Marion, Virginia. She was the oldest daughter of 13 children. Eight brothers have preceded her in death. Frank, John, Leroy, Norman Richard, Walter, Rush, Clifford, Marshall, and her sister Ann Marie. She is survived by her little brother, Ernie, and sisters Lorena and Frances.
First married to Clarence Hughes who was the father of Clarence, “Tommy,” and Ruth Elizabeth, all preceding her in death, Ruth met and for 62 years before his death was married to Jennes C. Nelson, Jr. of Ripley and expanded the family by four daughters, Teresa Ferreira, Mildred Nelson, Wanda Welch (John) and Carol Nelson Villari. She is also preceded in death by her granddaughter Holly, and sons-in-laws Mike Cortezzo and William Ferreira as well as great-grandson, Thomas Maddox, Jr.
Ruth’s first love was her family. She was a homemaker who cooked hearty southern fried meals for us and any friends we brought home. Her kitchen was always open and sleepovers never turned down. All would wake up to the smell of delicious sausage gravy and biscuits with fried eggs. The aroma lingers in our minds today. Her 13 grandchildren were always treated to a feast especially at holiday meals where the table overflowed with great dishes.
Her second passion was her flower gardens. Ruth was well known for her green thumb. Any stem or root she’d stick in the yard would blossom and grow better than any nursery could offer. In the spring, her yard would come to life with vibrant colors of yellow daffodils, pink, white and purple azaleas and many other gorgeous plants.
And finally, one would not know that Ruth was also a Great-Great Grandmother to 15 children. She never left the house without applying her makeup to perfection and pulling together an ensemble of her favorite jewelry pieces with a matching outfit and handbag. Ruth always looked 20 years younger than her age, and loved it when her doctors would brag on her appearance.
Through the years Ruth loved to play cards with her family and enjoyed the slot machines of old. In her final years, telephone conversations with her friends and family as well as her favorite soap operas and television shows continued to be the highlights of her day.
Ruth’s feisty spirit and sense of humor will surely be missed and making food runs for her egg foo young, pizza and fish filets until two days before her death will not be forgotten. Neither will we or our friends and cousins forget that shout from the back porch yelling for us to come home. An echo heard around the neighborhood!
Ruth’s viewing will be held Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at Raymond Funeral Home, La Plata, MD. Friends and family will be received from 9am to 11am with memorial service beginning at 11am. Internment will follow the service at Trinity Memorial Gardens in Waldorf, MD.
Memorial donations can be made to the Lutheran Church of Our Savior, 7365 Indian Head Hwy, Bryans Road, MD 20616 in memory of Nonny “Ruth” Nelson. www.lcoos.org
Or a charity of your choice.
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