Obituaries
In Loving Memory of Mrs.Iola Nelson
Life’s Story
Iola Nelson was born November 17, 1929 to the late Joe Richard and Ada Grayer in Richmond, Texas
in Fort Bend County. She met and married Jodie Nelson in Burleson County.
She grew up in Burleson County and received her education in the Fairview Public School system.
Iola accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Stone City Baptist Church in Bryan, Texas.
She later moved to College Station and joined College Hills Missionary Baptist Church under the
leadership of the late Reverend M.H. Harris. She was a member of the choir and remained a true
believer in her faith.
Mrs. Nelson was a dedicated worker in the home of the Niles family for eighteen years. She then
worked as a cook for two years before working as the lead custodian at Texas A&M University until
she retired twenty-six years later in 1994.
On Tuesday, January 21, 2025, Iola answered her Heavenly Father’s call from labor to rest. She was
preceded in death by her parents, Joe Richard and Ada Grayer, husband, Jodie Nelson, brothers,
Roland Grayer, Joe Grayer, Willie Grayer, Leon Grayer, James Grayer, John Grayer, C.G. Grayer,
stepbrother, Norman Tisdale and two sisters, Roberta Grayer and Sallie Delores Grayer.
Memories will be shared by her children, Leroy Thomas (Virgia) of College Station, Texas, and
Delores Haynes of College Station, Texas; grandchildren, Roderick Thomas (Stephanie), NaTasha
Thomas, Daemon White, Daren White, Travis Thomas, Taylor Jones (Monterrio Jr.), Kavia Thomas,
and Dematria Goffney (Creighton); twenty great-grandchildren; her brother, Edward Grayer; sisters,
Ann Whiting (Warren) of College Station, Texas, Mary Clark (Albert) of College Station, Texas, and
Linda Grayer-Jones (Bruce) of Houston, Texas; two brothers-in-law; one sister-in-law, Betty Tisdale,
and a host of nieces and nephews.
Funeral Service: SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 01, 2025 @11:00 AM COLLEGE HILL MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH 712 Churchill Street | College Station, Texas 77840
Live Streaming: https://www.facebook.com/share/YzB4c1q6FhWbrUyH/?mibextid=K35XfP
