Gayla Joyce (Conklin) Nelson

Gayla Joyce Nelson, 83, a lifelong Battle Creek resident died at Bronson at Home Hospice Residence on her birthday, Saturday, January 23, 2016.

Gayla was born January 23, 1933 in Battle Creek to Gaylord Chauncey and Lois Ellen (Horton) Conklin. She started school in a one room school house on B Drive South, was a 1950 graduate of Lakeview High School and earned her Associate Degree from Kellogg Community College later in life. Gayla was employed for nearly 30 years as an office and Library Secretary for Lakeview Schools, retiring in the late 1990's.

Gayla married James Douglas Nelson on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1950, at the First Presbyterian Church. Surviving are Jim, her husband of 65 years; four daughters, Colleen (Winston) Parnell, Karen (Stuart) Noble, Kathy Davis, Connie (James) Hagood all of Battle Creek; a son, Matthew (Sally) Nelson of Battle Creek; 13 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and their families. She is also survived by a decades long best friend, Geraldine Scheerens. Gayla was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Jerry and Jarnell Conklin.

Gayla was a member of the First Congregational Church, where she chaired the Library Committee, helped run the church library; and was a member of the Mary Daniels Circle. She volunteered for the Food Bank Pantry at the First United Methodist Church. Gayla was an avid reader, enjoyed solving jigsaw puzzles; and playing cards with her friends weekly. She will be remembered as a wonderful wife and mother and a devoted friend.
Friends will be received 5:00-7:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care. Funeral services will be officiated by Rev. Thomas J. Ott 1:00 p.m. Thursday, January 28, 2016 at the funeral home. Committal and entombment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Humane Society of South Central Michigan, 2500 Watkins Rd., Battle Creek, MI 49015. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.