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In memory of

Mari Emma Nelson

Montgomery, AL, USA

August 14, 1949 - August 26, 2019

Aug 14, 1949 - Aug 26, 2019

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Dr. “Daktari” Mary (Mari) Emma Nelson, 70, of Nairobi, Kenya, and Montgomery, Alabama, passed away on August 26th, 2019 at 4:20 pm CST at the University of Alabama Birmingham Hospital Palliative and Comfort Care Unit.

Early childhood and formative life stages:
Mary (Mari) was born to James R. Nelson and Eloise C. Nelson, on August 14th, 1949, in Ninety Six, Greenwood County, South Carolina.

Educational history and professional accolades:
Mary (Mari) Emma received her primary and secondary education in Ninety Six at Edgewood Elementary School and Ninety Six High School (class of 1967). She, along with her sister, were were pioneers and helped integrate the school as the first African Americans to attend the previously all white institution.
Mary (Mari) received her undergraduate degree in English from Greenville College located in Greenville, IL, in 1971. She then earned a Masters degree in Education from Washington University in St. Louis, MO in 1978. Her terminal degree, a PhD in Education Policy and Leadership was conferred from The Ohio State University in 1986.

Dr. Nelson served in many positions throughout her career. Some of the many positions she held are listed below:
Lecturer, Program Coordinator at The Ohio State University, Columbus Ohio
English Teacher at Northwest High School in St. Louis, MO.
Chair of the English Department for the United States International University (USIU) (US -- Nairobi, Kenya
Educational Advisor for EducationUSA, Department of State for Higher Education
Senior Lecturer for the University of Nairobi College (UON) of External Studies, supervising graduate theses and projects in addition to teaching
Lecturer, United States International University-Africa, USIU

Dr. Nelson was also a member of these and many other associations, boards, clubs, and committees:
The National Association for Women in Education
The Ohio Associate for Women in Education
The Ohio Association for Women Deans, Administrators, and Counselors (was member and served as president)
The Ohio State University Faculty Women’s Club
The Rotary Club of Nairobi
Board Chair Women for Mogra Star Children’s Rescue Centre
University Gender Mainstreaming Committee - University of Nairobi
Center for Teaching Excellence - The Ohio State University
Retention, Planning and Coordination Committee - The Ohio State University

Life’s work and key relationships:
Mary’s (Mari’s) life’s work extended across two continents: North America and Africa. She loved her birth home of Ninety Six, South Carolina; however, she moved to Nairobi, Kenya and established her heart-home to carry out her purpose driven life serving as a teacher, lecturer, and minister to others in need; a mentor to the young; and writing and inspiring the lives she touched. Mary (Mari) loved the Lord and spreading the gospel. She established a ministry to benefit girls in Masaai villages and schools (Saint Margaret High School, Narok Children’s Home and In His Image Christian Academy Kenya with American church, Saint John’s African American Episcopal in Montgomery, AL. Prior to her death, she established a new ministry to benefit women affected by cancer. She also had a great love for her early childhood schools and her community and family of Ninety Six, SC. Additionally, she loved and was a faithful member of Nairobi Baptist Church where she served in the choir, children’s ministry and Home Group Fellowship. She was a childhood member of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Ninety Six, SC, and later attended Saint John’s African Methodist Episopal Church, Montgomery, AL. She held special love for her sister’s dachshund, Rusty, who stood watch over her whenever she was present.
Mary (Mari) was an avid talker and storyteller and she never met a stranger. Outspoken and bold but compassionate and humble, she impacted hundreds of people and contributed to the betterment of mankind.

Immediate family history:
Mary (Mari) Emma had two daughters Verna Eloise Newsome (1/10/86-8/10/91) and Denise Erin Newsome (11/22/88-8/10/91) from her marriage to Dennis Newsome.

Survivors:
Mary (Mari) is survived by her sister Dr. Carrie J. Nelson-Hale (Bernard); nephews Kevin Hale (fiancee Tangel) Deveron Quenel (Joyce) Sanders (great-nieces Kaia Lynn and Nyla Quen Sanders); Kinnothan Girard (Crystal) Nelson, cousins Johnnie Sue (Carter) Phillips (children Cicely and Nicholas Phillips) and Deborah Ann (Carter) Sanders (children Austin, Alicia, and Avery Sanders); George E. Sanders, former brother-in-law (Carrie) and a host of relatives and friends in the United States and Africa.

Precedents:
Mary (Mari) was preceded in transition by her grandparents John Calhoun and Carrie Speaks, parents James and Eloise Nelson, her children Verna and Denise Newsome, and is a widow (Dennis Newsome).

Service arrangements:
The family will receive friends at a memorial service scheduled
Friday, September 6, 2019 - The memorial will be held at Saint John’s African Methodist Episcopal Church, 807 Madison Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36104
Time: 5 pm-7 pm Central Standard Time

Saturday, September 7, 2019 - The Homegoing Celebration Service will be held at Bethlehem Baptist Church, 309 Main Street East, Ninety Six, SC 29666
Time: 1:00 pm
Graveside services will immediately follow the 1:00 pm funeral service at the Ninety Six Community Cemetery
The family home is in Montgomery, Alabama.

In lieu of flowers the family respectfully requests donations be sent to;

The Nelson Family
300 Oak Ridge Drive
Pike Road, AL 36064

Cards/Messages of Condolences may be sent by visiting:
robson@nctv.com

Donations:
Please send donations in honor of Dr. Mari Nelson to any of the following causes listed below:

The American Cancer Society Joe Lee Griffin Hope Lodge in Birmingham AL provided amazing care for Mari during her battle. Please consider donating to the Lodge so that they may continue to provide outstanding support and treatment to others.
To donate, please use the following link:
https://donate3.cancer.org/?c…
More information regarding the Hope Lodge can be found here: https://www.cancer.org/treatm…
The Sanitary Napkins Ministry provided by In His Image Ministry, Inc., held a special place with Mari. The Ministry seeks to provide sanitary napkins and panties to women in remote areas in Africa who have little or no access to these critical items. Mari worked to support this ministry through her service at St. John’s AME Church in Montgomery, AL.
To donate, send checks or money orders payable to St. John’s AME Church, and send to
St. John’s AME Church, 807 Madison Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36104
with the memo “In Memory of Mari Nelson for In His Image/Sanitary Napkins Ministry”.

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In lieu of flowers, consider a gift to American Cancer Society Joe Lee Griffin Hope Lodge.

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