Virginia Mae Nelson

Virginia Mae Nelson was born in Stevenson, Washington January 27, 1940 and died peacefully February 26, 2026 at the age of 86. At her request, no services will be held.

Virginia was born into extremely difficult circumstances and spent much of her childhood in poverty. She was eventually taken in by members of a small Nazarene church and considered the church members to be her family. As she reached high school, an offering was taken which paid for her first term at Northwest Nazarene College in Nampa, Idaho, where she would study to be an elementary school teacher.

After graduating college, she took her first teaching job in Coos Bay, Oregon, and taught in Coos Bay schools for her entire career, spanning over 40 years. She loved teaching all elementary grades at numerous schools in the area but took extra pride in her time as a special reading teacher. In her time in education, she never forgot her humble beginnings and took special interest in helping children who were less fortunate. Many children over the years received Christmas presents, Easter baskets and birthday parties that they might not otherwise have had without her thoughtfulness. Through all aspects of her life, she reflected her calling from scripture: to love God and love others. Virginia was a member of the Bay Area Church of the Nazarene for over 60 years and served God faithfully wherever she could be of service to others.

Virginia is survived by her husband of 55 years, Jim Nelson; her son, Lance Nelson; her grandchildren, Sav Jonesi, Isabella Ravens and August Nelson, and her great-grandchildren, Wesley and Eden, and numerous lifelong friends in the area. She was preceded in death by her mother, Gladys Cooke.

Her family pledges to continue to live out her legacy of finding ways to show God’s love to all, but especially the hopeless, disadvantaged and downtrodden. She will be greatly missed.

Arrangements are under the care of Coos Bay Chapel, 541-267-3131. Family and friends are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.coosbayareafunerals.com

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