Wanda Lee Welson

The world lost a remarkable woman on October 17, 2025, when Wanda Lee Nelson went home to be with the Lord — leaving behind a legacy of kindness, humility, and quiet strength. Born on May 20, 1941, Wanda lived a life marked not by grand gestures, but by the everyday love she poured into the people around her.

Wanda lived her life with a giving heart. She spent her later years caring for others, showing up day after day with patience, compassion, and loyalty. She loved the outdoors, being surrounded by nature, and watching the birds gathered around her — small joys that reflected the peace and simplicity she brought into this world.

Wanda was the kind of woman who meant what she said (and never afraid to say it) and lived what she believed. Genuine, honest, and deeply rooted in family, she created a home filled with warmth and comfort. Family was the center of Wanda’s world. She shared many beautiful years with Chuck Nelson, her former husband, who remained the great love of her life. Their bond, shaped by shared memories and lifelong loyalty, continued long after their marriage ended.

She leaves behind her daughter, Tammy Jo Patrick (Bo Patrick); her granddaughter, Tori J’ Kuntz; and her great-grandson, Michael Russel Cavazos — all of whom carry a piece of her heart forward. The family, along with her many nieces and nephews in Virginia, will continue to carry her legacy of unwavering love and kindness.

Wanda is now reunited with the family who went before her, her parents, Paul Cody Jones and Kate Jones Presley; her stepdad Lace Presley; her sisters Ruth Tolbert, Betty Robinette, and Louise Bruggerman; her brothers Ray Jones and Billy Jones; and her precious grandson, Michael Alan Kuntz Jr. The reunion in heaven is no doubt a joyful one, especially with her grandson Mikey waiting for her with open arms. We take comfort in knowing she is with him again, holding his hand just as she held ours on earth.

While our hearts ache for her presence, we are comforted knowing that she is finally at rest — safe, whole, and surrounded by everlasting love. We will miss her more than words can express, but her love lives on in every life she touched. Until we see her again, we will honor her by living with the same kindness, honesty and strength she showed us everyday. We will carry her memory as a blessing and a reminder of how lucky we were to be loved by her