Fleeta Joyce Nelson

Fleeta Joyce Gilstrap Nelson of Muskogee, Oklahoma passed from this life and went to be with the Lord on June 8, 2016. Fleeta was the beloved wife of Coleman Nelson who she married on September 1, 1967. She was being comforted by family members at the time of her passing. She lived 81 years faithfully serving the Lord and serving others until her death. Born November 13, 1934 in Haskell County, Oklahoma, she was the daughter of Roy and Edna Garland Gilstrap. Her mother passed away when she was one-year old. She grew up with out a mother, but she became a nurturing & loving mother and grandmother for every person that came her way. Fleeta was a little lady with a big heart. As a follower of Jesus Christ, she loved everyone unconditionally always seeing the best in everyone and never saying a bad word about anyone. Where ever she went -- in the family, in the church, on the job, and even in the nursing home – her encouraging and loving spirit made a positive difference in the lives of those she touched. She was a member of the Chandler Road Church of Christ where she often taught and cared for the babies in the nursery. She worked for 26 years as an auto parts buyer at Basolo Auto Parts and eventually retired from City Hall after working 10 years in the City Treasurer’s office. She was lauded as an outstanding worker in every job assignment and made the work environment more fun for everyone. Fleeta was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Edna Gilstrap; her brothers, Dallas Gilstrap, Kenneth (Bud) Gilstrap, Jack Gilstrap, and Robert (Nub) Gilstrap; and by her sons, Larry Nelson and John Nelson. She is survived by her husband, Coleman Nelson of Muskogee; her children, son, William (Bill) Goad and wife Rita of Edmond, OK, daughter, Vicky Watkins, Muskogee, OK, daughter, Nancy Murray and husband Jim of Acworth, GA, son, James (Jim) Nelson and wife Mary Gail of Muskogee, OK, daughter-in-law, Cheryl Nelson Bowyer of Muskogee, OK; her siblings, sister, Eloise Wibben and husband Charlie of Hugo, OK, brother John Gilstrap of Stigler, OK; her 15 grandchildren, Johnny Shane Nelson (Heather), Jody Nelson, Becky Nelson-Frey, Mary Katherine Nelson Varnell, Rueben Nelson, Amy Nelson Ashing (Michael), Lee Ann Nelson Garland (Rodney), Spencer Goad (Vanessa), Kelci Goad, Parker Goad, Bryson Goad, Ashley Watkins Rataic, Addison Watkins, Macy Murray, Braden Murray; 14 great grandchildren; many special cousins and other extended family members. Funeral services celebrating Fleeta’s life will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, June 11, 2016 at Chandler Road Church of Christ with Minister Donnie Branscum officiating. Interment will follow at Greenhill Cemetery with her grandsons serving as pallbearers.

Fleeta Joyce Nelson

November 13, 1934 - June 8, 2016