Nelda Rice Wilson, 80, passed away surrounded by her family July 31, 2011 in Tulsa, Okla.  Services will be held at Downtown Bixby Church of Christ, Wednesday, August 3rd at 2 p.m. officiated by her dear cousin the Reverend Charles Rice of Pennsylvania.  A Cushing graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, August 4, 2011 at Fairlawn Cemetery.

Words can’t adequately describe her larger than life personality and colorful way of making even the most simple things into something extraordinary!  Nelda was born Jan. 19, 1931 to Ernest and Fan Rice in Chandler, OK.  She graduated from Cushing High School and is credited with forming the Cushing High School Alumni Association.  Nelda was employed with the Cushing Daily Citizen and was formerly the Drumright Newspaper editor.  She owned a music publishing company and enjoyed booking various recording artists.  Most recently she wrote articles for the Corridor Magazine.  Nelda’s imagination and creative abilities knew no bounds. 

Nelda’s greatest joy has always been her family.  She was blessed with two daughters from her first marriage, Prisci and ReNae.  Nelda married her devoted husband Joe nearly 46 years ago.  They have one daughter named Lori.  After being long-time Cushing residents, Joe and Nelda moved to Tulsa in 1999 to enjoy their young grandchildren.  Nelda introduced her grandchildren to so many amazing experiences through theater and music.

There are many “Nelda” memories through the years and she will live forever in our hearts. 

A service will be held at Downtown Bixby Church of Christ, Wednesday, August 3, 2011, at 2 p.m., officiated by her dear cousin The Reverend Charles Rice of Pennsylvania.  A Cushing graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, August 4, 2011 at Fairlawn Cemetery.

She is survived by loving husband Joe Wilson, daughter Renae daughter and son-in-law Prisci and Steve Loveland, daughter and son-in-law Lori Lynn and Kerry Blankenship.  Grandchildren are Kristen Wasson, Shelli Shaffer, Jana Wood, Kerri Wiley, Melissa Boles, Greg Morgan, Gentry Lane, Lindsay Blankenship, Kennedy Blankenship, will Blankenship and Elliot Blankenship; and 15 great-grandchildren.

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