Mary Alice Ballard Nelson

Mary Alice Ballard Nelson born on October 11, 1936, went on to the loving arms of the Lord on Sunday, September 28, 2025.

Mary Alice, mom, or grandma, as she was most affectionately known, was the center of her family's world. Always filled with joy at any opportunity to get them all together around her table. Especially if it meant making any of her famous buttermilk biscuits and sweet tea.

Mary was a lifelong resident of Ballard Road in Colfax - born, raised, and then raised her own family within a half mile. She was also a lifelong member of Shady Grove Wesleyan Church, where she delighted in being the librarian. 

An avid gardener, Mary spent most days in her yard tending to her flower gardens. Evenings and rainy days would find her crocheting snowflakes - hundreds, maybe even thousands of them, with rarely two alike - unless it was a pattern that she really enjoyed!

She is preceded in death by her parents - WC and Stacie Ballard; husband, Bobby Lee Nelson; brother, Richard Ballard; her daughter, Ginger Nelson Lee; and her daughter-in-law, Peggy Nelson. She is survived by her children, Karen Faircloth and husband, Jeff, Michael Nelson, and Tracy Nelson and wife, Oneida; as well as her grandchildren, Katie Marie Nelson, David Lee Jr., and wife, Sierra, Elissa Cole and husband, Nolan, Mckenna Nelson, Lauren Nelson, and Faith Lee; and her dearest great-grandchildren, Harper and Lacey Lee, and Ryleigh and Everett Cole. 

The family will receive friends at Shady Grove Wesleyan Church, 119 N Bunker Hill Rd, Colfax, NC 27235 on Thursday, October 2, 2025 from 3:00PM  -  4:00PM.  Funeral services will follow beginning at 4:00PM with Pastor Todd Reynolds and Pastor Phil Kirkman officiating.  Interment will follow in the church cemetery. 

Friends and family may sign the guestbook online at www.piercejeffersonfh.com