Funeral services for Mrs. Mildred Abell Nelson, 86, of Howell Street, were held Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2003 at 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church with Dr. Robert W. Brown officiating. Burial followed in Southview Cemetery.

Mrs. Nelson died Sunday, Dec. 7, 2003 at St. Francis Hospital in Columbus.

Pasley-Fletcher Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Nelson was a native of Richland, Ga., but lived in Thomaston since 1948. She was the daughter of the late Ammie Glenn Abell and the late Robert Alex Abell Sr. She graduated from the Richland High School as the salutatorian. Mrs. Nelson attended Georgia State College for Women in Milledgeville, Georgia Southwestern in Americus and Bessie Tift College in Forsyth. A dedicated elementary school teacher for 30 years, Mrs. Nelson, taught at Alma, Woodbury and Thomaston. After retirement, Mrs. Nelson volunteered with the Auxiliary of the Upson Regional Medical Center. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Thomaston where she was involved in the Church Circle and the Tumlin Sunday School Class. She enjoyed playing bridge and had many friends. Mrs. Nelson was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Robert Alex Abell Jr. and her husband, Thomas J. Nelson.

Survivors include her daughter, Mrs. Karen Nelson Harvey of Columbus; a sister, Mrs. Charles E. (Kathryn) Hamilton of Columbus; and two granddaughters, Mrs. Matthew (Kelli) Hilde of Syracuse, N.Y. and Miss Krissy Harvey of Columbus.