Ms. Josephine E. Nelson

Obituary Josephine Elizabeth Nelson was born on April 12, 1939, in Kansas City, Kansas, to Joe Mooney and Aloise (McLaurian) Mooney. She was proceeded in death by her parents, a brother, James Mooney Arnold, two sisters, Ina Claire Brown and Dr. Claudia Mooney, a daughter, Katherine Nelson Ricks and her beloved husband, Rev. Nathaniel Nelson. She was a proud graduate of Sumner High School, class of 1957. She attended Dickerson Business School, Penn Valley and Longview College thus completing her degree in Secretary Studies. She was a formal Hallite Toastmaster, winning several competitions. Josephine was employed by the City of Kansas City, Missouri and in 1992 retired from the Water & Pollution Control Department with 31 years of service where she was the administrative assistant in charge of the Payroll Department. Josie, as she was affectionally called by her family and friends was born into the church under the pastorage of her father, the late Rev. Joe Mooney at the Church of the Living God, CWFF. She served as pianist, Sunday School and Bible Study teacher and was also Secretary to the Bishop of the 7th District for 10 years. She always professed a strong hope and faith in Jesus Christ. She was joined in holy matrimony to Reverend Nathaniel Nelson, founder and pastor of the Haven of Rest Baptist Church & Evangelistic Center. They were married for 55 glorious years and shared five wonderful children. She served as the First Lady of Haven of Rest Baptist Church & Evangelistic Center for over 40 years, always exhibiting the fruits of the Spirit. She served as the Church Coordinator, organist for all the choirs, Director of the Drama Department which presented plays such as the “The Church Business Meeting”, “Misconception” and “Grandma’s Bible”. She worked with the Sunday School, Bible Study and Vacation Bible School programs. She served twice as the President of the New Era District Ministers’ Wives and Widows Fellowship, first under Rev. Gerald Schiele and then Rev. John M. Miles as Moderators. At the time of her death, she held the position of Director of the Ministers’ Wives and Widows of the New Era District Congress of Christian Education; Corresponding/Assistant Secretary for the New Era District Ministers’ Wives and Widow Fellowship; and Treasurer of the Ministers’ Wife and Widows of the Missionary Baptist State Convention of Missouri. She was classy, elegant, dressed with style and loved to shop. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends and will be forever cherished for her patience, strength, kindness, leadership and faithfulness. She was generous beyond belief and brought loyalty and commitment to all that she did. She was the epitome of what we all strive to be as children of the King. She leaves to cherish her memory, four wonderful and loving children, one son, Dennis Nelson (Cheryl) of Jacksonville, FL, and three daughters, Sharon Lipscomb (Barry) of Wichita KS, Joy Mooney of Austin, TX and Natalie Ford (James) of Kansas City, MO; Grandchildren: Heather Nelson, Nehemiah Clark, Willie-Ray Clark, Jonell-Marie MatLock, Felicia-Aloise Frasier, James-Edward Ford, Barry Lipscomb, Jr., Timothy Lipscomb, Dennis Nelson, Jr., Desiree Nelson, Ebony Shelton, Cheron Chestnut, Alicia Ford, Demorio Ford, Micah Shockley, Caleb Henderson and Xavier Henderson; one sister, Sylvia Scoggins; two brother-in-laws, Sammie Nelson and Jimmie Taylor; two goddaughters, Wylieta Rucker and Pamela Henderson (Randall); three godsons, Frederick Patton (LaTanya), Bennie Hardiman and Rev. Robert Jones; 21 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and many spiritual brothers and sisters in Christ, as well as her Haven of Rest Baptist Church Family. A Memorial Celebration will be held on March 18, 2023, 11:00am at Haven of Rest MBC. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ms. Josephine E. Nelson, please visit our floral store. Read More

Ms. Josephine E. Nelson

April 12, 1939 - March 1, 2023