Gloria J Nelson's Obituary
Gloria J Nelson, 95, was born in Tulsa OK to Carl and Edythe Swanson and died on November 27, 2017 in Dallas. After living in many Texas and Oklahoma towns due to her father’s job, she graduated from Tulsa Central HS and from Oklahoma University with a Bachelor of Business Science in 1943. While at OU she joined Gamma Phi Beta sorority, of which she was an active 75-year member and international officer. She married Isham “Push” Nelson in 1944, prior to his being sent to the European front during WWII. Following the war, he was stationed with Gloria in Austria as part of the Occupation Forces. After returning to the US they relocated to Dallas, where Push had a CPA firm, Isham P. Nelson & Co, and Gloria was office manager. They were married 29 years before his death in 1973. She was also office manager for her son, Eric’s, CPA practice. Gloria and Push were active members of Northwest Bible Church, serving in many capacities.Gloria was a generous, loving, compassionate mother, grandmother, friend. She was a gracious lady, kind to all. She was fiercely independent, still had a driver’s license and drove herself on errands. She was loved by those who knew her, and in return loved them unconditionally; she will be dearly missed.Gloria served Gamma Phi Beta on a local level for many years before being appointed and serving as area officer for 7 years. In 1974 she was appointed International Director of Finance for 6 years and then National Panhellenic Conference Delegate for 6 years, serving on Grand Council until 1984. She then served as alternate NPC delegate until 1990. She attended 24 Gamma Phi Beta conventions. She earned multiple Gamma Phi Beta awards and honors, including Service Award, Merit Award and Honor Roll. Her sorority sisters consider her an inspiration and role model. Traveling , doing crossword and word puzzles, spending time in Port Aransas, spoiling her grandchildren and greats, reading, spending time with family were Gloria’s greatest joys. Her life verse was Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” This was seen in how she lived life to the fullest even as her body failed her due to age.Preceded in death by husband, Push Nelson, and two sons, Eric Isham P. and Karl Gordon. Survived by daughter, Toni Olsen, and husband, Ivor; sister, Jeanne Beach; daughter-in-law, Sherri Nelson; grandchildren, Lauren Carlson (Matt), Adam Nelson, Nichole Nelson, Joshua Olsen, Megan Kuykendall (Seth), Travis Nelson; 4 great-grandchildren; Travis’ mother, Susie Nelson; a multitude of nieces, nephews and their families; Gamma Phi sisters and many friends.Memorial service will be Saturday, December 2, at 2 PM in Restland Cemetery.Memorial donations may be made to: Gamma Phi Beta (educational) Foundation, www.gammaphibeta.org/donate; Northwest Bible Church, www.northwestbible.org; or EvanTell Inc, www.evantell.org .
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