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Rev. Vernell Nelson was born February 6, 1926, in Emory, Texas to Basil and Ethel Alexander. The Lord called her home on July 3, 2010. She was 84 years old. She became a Christian at 12 years old at First Assembly of God Church, Emory, Texas, pastored by Rev. Albert Clark, Sr. She married the love of her life Rev. Woodrow Lewis Nelson, at the tender age of 14, on April 12, 1940. She and her husband were both called into the ministry during a revival and they began pastoring their first church when she was only 15. She always spoke of the challenges of being a pastor's wife at that young age. She became an ordained minister through the Pentecostal Church of God organization. At this point, papers are being processed with the Guinness World Book of Records to show her to be the longest running female minister as she has been in pastoral work for 69 years. Rev. Vernell Nelson was first female to be appointed to the Pentecostal Church of God Board of Education. Rev. Nelson was voted in as pastor the First Pentecostal Church of God in Greenville following her husband's death in 1986. They have been pastors of this church for 48 years.
In 2008, she was voted as one of Hunt County's Top Spiritual Leaders and one of the Top Role Models.
Rev. Vernell Nelson had a compassionate heart; many times she would pay the remaining balance of someone's groceries at the store so they wouldn't have to put items back.
She fought a courageous battle to her last breath; even dedicating a baby girl to the Lord while lying on her death bed... "she never gave up the faith."
Sister Nelson, as she was known, touched so many lives throughout her ministry. There is no way a number could be placed on the total number of children she has bought a candy bar or coke for at the store. Being raised in the depression by her widowed mother along with 5 siblings, she said she always remembered what it was like to want some candy at the store, but there was no money.
She was preceded in death by her busband; infant son, Woodrow Lewis, Jr.; father, Basil Alexander; mother, Ethel Alexander; sister, Marie Perkins; brothers, Rueben Alexander, G. B. Alexander and Rev. Lee Alexander.
She is survived by daughteres, Joyce Pattison and husband, Dwayne of Caddo Mills, TX; Joann Welk and husband, Ray of Caddo Mills, TX; grandchildren: Jennifer Welk and husband, Jesse of Caddo Mills, TX; Jeff Pattison and wife, Chelsea of Greenville, TX; Michelle McLarry and husband, Tony of Caddo Mills, TX; Melissa Hines and husband, Randy of Greenville, TX; great-grandchildren: Shelbie and Nelson Welk; Woodrow Jax, Gus and Lola McLarry, Landon Pattison and Miranda and Matilyn Hines; sisters, Mae Vera of Mesquite, TX and Pauline Pennington of Greenville, TX.
Memorial offerings should be made to First Pentecostal Church of God, 2615 Walnut St., Greenville, TX 75401.
Family night will be at Coker-Mathews Funeral Home, Tuesday, July 6, 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Funeral services will be held at Highland Terrace Baptist Church, Wednesday, July 7, at 10:00 AM. with Dr. Danny Alexander and the Rev. Canon Ralph McCune officiating. Interment will follow at Memoryland Memorial Park.
Pallbearers will be Randy Hines, Tony McLarry, Rick Perkins, Bryan Thompson, Jesse Welk and Nelson Welk. Honorary pallbearer will be Jeff Pattison. Junior pallbearers will be Jax McLarry, Gus McLarry and Landon Pattison.