Betty Jean Springle Nelson

Mrs. Betty Jean Springle Nelson, age 66, of Oconee, passed away peacefully with family by her side, at her residence on Wednesday, March 1, 2023.   A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held on Saturday, March 4 ^th at 11:00 a.m., at Tennille Baptist Church with Dr. Brian Welch officiating.  Family will greet friends in the social hall of the church following the service.

Mrs. Nelson was born and reared in North Carolina, the daughter of the late Elijah Springle and the late Mildred R. Crocker. As a teenager, she moved to Jonesboro, Georgia, and married her husband, Rufus "Buddy" Nelson, Jr. in 1975.  Following her husband's service in the military, they resided in McDonough, Georgia and Henderson, Tennessee where she was a homemaker.  Later, Betty worked as a commercial driver and cherished her role as a caregiver to the elderly and sick.  Recently, she and Buddy moved to Oconee to be near family and they were active in Tennille Baptist Church.  Mrs. Nelson is predeceased by her daughters, Dianna Andrea Nelson and Maria Dawn Harrell Johnson.

Survivors include her husband, Rufus "Buddy" Nelson, Jr.; children, Rufus Edwin Nelson, III of Ledyard, Connecticut, Vance Bruce Harrell, of Dallas, Texas, and Anthony Kevin Harrell (Eva), of Lawrenceville, Georgia; son in law, Jamie Johnson; grandchildren, Tyler Anthony Nelson, Benjamin Michael Nelson, Ariyana Natalia Nelson, Valerie Dawn Harrell, Lee O'Neil Harrell, Lance Harrell, Heather Hindeman, Robin Johnson, Anthony Johnson, Brianna Johnson and Samantha Johnson; four great-grandchildren; and siblings, Larry Springle and Robert Springle both of North Carolina.

May and Smith Funeral Directors is in charge of these arrangements.   Leave an online message to the family at www.mayandsmithfuneraldirectors.com