Helen M. Nelson

Helen Peyer Nelson, affectionally known as “Mama Helen” by her family and friends, age 100, passed away peacefully at her home in Lake Wales on Thursday, January 27, 2022.  She was born in Brooklyn, New York on April 11, 1921, moving to FL as an infant.  She and her family lived in Desoto City for many years before moving into Sebring.  She graduated from Sebring High School in 1938.  After graduating, she attended Jones Business School, upon completing that, moved back to Sebring to work for Gene Sebring at Highlands Abstract Company.  She soon met the love of her life Marion H. Nelson, and they were married July of 1943.  After Marion got out of the US Marines, they began their life together working in the family business, Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Homes in Sebring, and Avon Park.  In 1951 they moved to Lake Wales to start the Marion Nelson Funeral Home.  Mama Helen continued to be somewhat active in that business until her early nineties.  She was a long-standing member of the Episcopal Church of Good Shepherd in Lake Wales.  She is survived by her Sons – Dr. James Nelson (Janie) of Dawson, GA; Chris Nelson (Brenda) of Sebring, FL; Barrett Nelson (Shelly) of Lake Wales, FL; 12 Grandchildren; 23 Great-Grandchildren; 2 Great-Great-Grandchildren; Brother-in-law – Hap Stephenson of Sebring, FL.  She was preceded in death by her Husband – Marion Nelson.  Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00pm on Tuesday, February 1, 2022, at Marion Nelson Funeral Home in Lake Wales.  Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, February 2 ^nd at the Episcopal Church of Good Shepherd in Lake Wales at 11:00am.  Interment will follow in the Lake Wales Cemetery.  Memorial Contributions may be made to the Episcopal Church of Good Shepherd, Memorial Garden Fund in her memory.

Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home
4001 Sebring Parkway
Sebring, FL 33870
Online condolences may be left at:
www.stephensonnelsonfh.com