Novella Kathern Nelson, 83, of Holcomb, died Saturday, July 17, 2004, at the Piggott Community Hospital.

She was born Nov. 4, 1920, in Bell City, Mo., daughter of William Allen Neal and Clara Emma Lowery Neal.

She married Robert Edward Nelson on Nov. 24, 1935, at Forty and Eight, Ark. Her husband preceded her in death on Jan. 23, 1997.

She was a homemaker and a teacher's aid for Head Start for three years. She was a member of the Seventh-day Adventist faith.

She was preceded in death by two sons, Bobby Nelson and Ricky Nelson; one granddaughter, Carol Shaw; three brothers, James Neal, Billy Neal and Jessie Neal; and one sister, Jean Evans.

Survivors include seven daughters, Nancy Robinson of Campbell, Juanita Rees of Gordonville, Mo., Linda Shaw of Poplar Bluff, Patricia Burton of Campbell, Hope Schurman of Arnold, Mo., Pamela Porter of Taneyville, Mo., and Diane Ellison of Perryville, Mo.; four sons, David Nelson of West Memphis, Rick Nelson of Campbell, Tim Nelson of Yellville, and Jim Nelson of St. Francis; 38 grandchildren, 53 great-grandchildren, nine great-great-grandchildren; and three sisters, Omga Lovette of Round Lake, Ill., Berniece Gardner of Circle City, Mo., and Sue Maulding of Festus, Mo.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Monday, July 19, at Landess Funeral Chapel in Campbell with Rev. Luther Crane officiating.

Interment was at Loyd Cemetery in Holcomb with Landess Funeral Home of Campbell in charge of arrangements.