Betty Ann Nelson

Betty Ann Hargis Nelson was born June 11, 1927 to Herbert Hargis and Trudy Tidwell Hargis. She was the baby of the family with 2 older brothers, Cecil and James Hargis and 1 older sister, Willa Mae Hargis Blagg. They lived in Murray, Kentucky where she, at 15 years old, was married to the love of her life, James Loman Nelson on August 22, 1942. Right after marrying Loman, he was sent oversees in WWII, and Sister-in-law Ruby Hargis and Betty moved to Detroit, Michigan to work and support the war efforts. They lived in a second story flat in SW Detroit. After 3 years away, Loman came back from war and found work in Detroit, Michigan. The young couple settled here and started their lives together. On November 7, of 1946, they welcomed their first child, Darwin Alan Nelson and almost exactly one year later, on November 10, 1947 they had their second child, Donna Kay Nelson.

They did not have much in their young lives but love abounded. Betty grew up in the Christian faith and attended the West Dearborn Church of Christ bringing her children with her. Soon, Loman joined them, and from that moment on, the two grew in faith and in love with each other, their church family, and their community. The congregation became too large for the meeting place and half the families started a congregation of the Church in Allen Park where they served in many capacities until their deaths.

Betty was proceeded in death by James Loman in 2017 after almost 75 years of marriage. They have 2 children, Darwin Alan Nelson (Nancy) and Donna Kay Medley (Donnie), 5 grandchildren, Russell Alan Nelson (Jeanette), Deanna Kay Medley Calleja (Anthony), Terry Lee Nelson, Debra Jean Medley Freitas (Neil), and Jamie Daniel Nelson (December). They were blessed with 10 beautiful great-grandchildren, Medley Calleja Branstator (Brandon), Meadow Calleja, Jared Nelson, Madison Freitas, Jillian Nelson, Brooke Johnson, McKenna Freitas, Sarah Nelson, Maya Freitas and Katie Nelson. Betty was delighted to also have 2 beloved great-great-grandsons, James Michael Branstator, and Keegan Douglas Calleja-Hall. They were also blessed with several loving nieces and nephews.

In the later years of Betty’s life, she lived between her son’s home in North Carolina and her daughter’s home in Michigan. She was a beautiful example of faithful Christian sharing her love with everyone around her. She had a quick wit, a beautiful smile and a warm heart that always had delicious baked goods to share. She passed peacefully away on July 14th, 2025 at 98 years of age.