Extracted from The Natchez Democrat (Natchez, MS)
Tuesday, June 27, 2000

Opal Saxton Nelson

July 14, 1918 - June 25, 2000

WISNER, La. -- Services for Opal Saxton Nelson, 81, of Wisner formerly of Ferriday, who died Sunday, June 25, 2000, in Winnsboro, will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Wisner Assembly of God Church with the Rev. Roland Kratzer officiating.

Burial will be in the New Pine Hill Cemetery in Sicily Island under the direction of Comer Funeral Home in Ferriday.

Visitation is from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Mrs. Nelson was born July 14, 1918, in Zwolle, the daughter of Elzy R. and Myra A. Saxton.

She was a one year resident of Wisner after having been a resident of Ferriday for over 50 years. She was a charter member of Hill Memorial Baptist Church near Ferriday and was a hairstylist.

Mrs. Nelson was preceded in death by her husband, Mathew T. Nelson; two sons, Malcolm and Rubin Nelson; her parents; and one brother.

Survivors include one son, Manson E. Nelson and his wife, Judy of Vidalia; five daughters and her husbands, Margerete E. Nelson and Shelby of Sicily Island, Shirley N. Mortimore of Gallatin, Tenn., Katherine W. Smith and Joseph of Prairieville, Pamela N. Fleniken and Ricky of St. Francisville, and Polly N. Johnson and Dennis of Wisner; 20 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Raymond Zeagler, James Zeagler, Steve Zeagler, Manson Nelson Jr., John Mathew Morgan, Wesley Morgan, Jessie Smith and Brooks Smith.