Etta E. Nelms

Jan. 10, 1907-Oct. 16, 2007

HAYES CENTER â€" Etta E. Nelms, 100, died Tuesday (Oct. 16, 2007), at the Heritage of Wauneta Nursing Home.

She was born Jan. 10, 1907, to John Henry and Melissa J. (Mulford) Lawson in Cambridge. She graduated from Bartley High School in 1926.

On Feb. 2, 1927, she married Vernie Ray Nelms in Bartley. They were owners and operators of Nelms Grocery Store in Hayes Center for 25 years. They retired in 1976.

She was an active member of Bethel Baptist Church, the American Legion Auxiliary, and the Federated Women’s Club. She was also active in the Hayes Center Senior Center.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Melissa Lawson; her husband, Vernie Nelms on Jan. 21, 1988; six brothers, Clifford, Howard, Elvert, Frank, Jim and Lloyd Lawson; one sister, Clesta Lawson; sisters-in-law Nettie Lawson and Leona Lawson; and two grandsons, David Vlasin and Regan Vlasin.

Survivors include her son, Leonard Nelms and wife, Iris of Hayes Center; daughters, LaVerna Scott and husband, Roland of Emporia, Kan., and Doris Vlasin and husband, Joe of Hayes Center; sister Carrie Max of Cambridge; two sisters-in-law, May Lawson of Cambridge and Dara Lawson of Josuha Tree, Calif.; nine grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be Monday, 2 p.m., at Bethel Baptist Church in Hayes Center with the Rev. Gaylord DeMoure officiating. Burial will be in the Hayes Center Cemetery.

Visitation is today and Friday until 5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. until noon. Friends may sign her book at the funeral home or send condolences online at www.carpenterbreland.com

Memorials may be given in her name.

Carpenter Breland Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.