Obituary of Emmalee Nelson

Emmalee Nelson, the daughter of the late John and Thurnese Nelson Jr. was born number six of nine on July 26, 1953 in Charleston, SC. Emmalee was educated in the Charleston County Public School System where she graduated from Garrett High School. Early in life, Emmalee gave her life to Christ and was a member of Jerusalem COGIC. After graduation, Emmalee ventured to Manhattan, New York where she attended Pace University receiving an Associates of Arts in Social Work. Using her education to help others, Emmalee was employed for Harlem Hospital as a social worker up until 2001 when she returned home to Charleston.

Once she returned home, Emmalee became employed at OSI Call Center where she forged many lasting relationships. Shortly after returning home, Emmalee became a member of Christ Temple Church where she faithfully served on the Hospitality Ministry until her health failed. Emmalee was preceded in death by four of her siblings Charles Washington (Mary), John Louis Nelson (Louise), Mary Flowers-Sims (Eugene), and William Washington (Lola), her grandmother Mary Macon, and a special brother-in-law, James Gibbs.

Leaving to cherish her memories are her five siblings Barbara Pettaway, Alfreda Doyle, Nemiah Nelson, Angela Gibbs, and Evelyn Williams. Although Emmalee did not bear any natural children of her own, she had unique relationships with each niece and nephew, and loved them as her own. Two special nephews Robert Pettaway and Devon Flowers, who referred to Emmalee as their second Mom, will forever adore the bond they formed. Each niece and nephew will cherish her memory along with other relatives and friends.

Service will be held on February 11th  at Christ Temple Church at 1309 Sumner Avenue, North Charleston, SC at 11:30am.