In Memory

Zona Arah Nelson Phillips (Ovalo Eagles) - Class Of 1939

Zona Arah Nelson Phillips

(April 12, 1921 ~ October 15, 2009)

Zona Arah Nelson Phillips, daughter of Ewing Sanders Nelson, Sr. and Vera Zona Marshall and married to Jake A. Phillips.


Zona Nelson Phillips of Midland passed away Thursday, October 15, 2009 at Midland Memorial Hospice.
 
Zona was born in Greenfield, New Mexico on April 12, 1921 to Ewing S. Nelson Sr. and Vera Marshall Nelson. The family later moved to the Abilene area where she attended schools in both Clyde and Fairview, Texas. She graduated from Ovalo High School and attended colleges in San Francisco, San Jose, and Fremont, CA, following her high school graduation. She married Jake A. Phillips on March 21, 1942. She retired as an accountant from the Norton Company in California in 1981. After her retirement her and her husband moved to Tehama, CA. He preceded her in death in November 1994.
 
Zona was a loving and devoted wife, sister, and aunt. She spent ten years as a Hospice volunteer, and was an accomplished seamstress. She was offered a job several times to become a professor by colleges in California but politely declined.
 
Zona is survived by her brother, Clint Nelson and his wife, Mary of Andrews; nephew, Lynn Nelson of Abilene; niece, Sandra Frey and her husband, Robert of Missouri; nephew, Danny Nelson and his wife, Tina of Abilene; niece, Jean Lafair and her husband, Bill of Winters; niece, Laura Clepper of Midland; nephew, Carl Schaffrina and his wife, Jodi of El Cajon, CA; niece, Donna Lindholm and her husband, Tony of Midland; nephew Jerry Nelson of Big Spring; nephew, Jacky Nelson and his wife, Lisa of Midland; niece Susan Bowman and her husband, John of Midland; nephew, Mike Nelson and his wife, Becky of Midland; nephew Lon Allen and his wife, Kaye of Phoenix, AZ; and numerous great and great, great nieces and nephews. Zona is preceded in death by her parents; brother, Minor Nelson; brother E.S. Nelson, Jr; sister, Beulah Schaffrina; nephew, Ronny Nelson; nephew, David Schaffrina; nephew, Don Schaffrina.
 
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Midland, PO Box 2621, Midland, TX 79702. Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funereal Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com

Published in Midland Reporter-Telegram on Oct. 18, 2009