Nelson, Beth Carlson

Dr. Beth Carlson Nelson, 80, of Radford, died Wednesday, April 18, 2007, in a Winston-Salem, North Carolina hospital.

Born in the Mid-West in the 1920’s she was among the first women to earn a doctorate from the University of Virginia. She graduated Cum Laude from Radford University, and earned a master’s degree from Virginia Tech and State University.

Married to Sidney Nelson, a Virginia native whom she met while serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II. She reared three daughters, all of whom chose careers in education.

Surviving in addition to her husband, are three daughters, Judy Nelson, Dublin, Jeanie and her husband Mike Anderson, and Betty and her husband Dave Whitley, Radford; a brother, Wayman Carlson and his wife Judy; a sister, Louella Gagnon and her husband Robert; her grandchildren, Sydney Lawson and husband David, Jon Anderson and Travis and Carter Whitley; great-grandchildren, Olivia Beth Lawson and Sawyer Lawson; and her favorite pet, Jack; several nieces and nephews also survive.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 20, 2007 at the Central United Methodist Church, with a memorial service at 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Dr. Beth Nelson Scholarship Fund, Radford University Foundation, P.O. Box 6915, Radford University, Virginia 24142, or to the American Cancer Society. DeVilbiss Funeral home is handling arrangements.