Connie Nelson

Connie F. Nelson, 73, Cashion, passed away Friday, Nov. 27, 2020.

Connie was born Jan. 20, 1947, in Pauls Valley to Odis and Opal (Holland) Duke.

Connie married Homer Nelson on June 5, 1965, at the First Baptist Church in Maysville and remained married for almost 33 years before Homer’s death in 1998.

Eventually Homer and Connie settled in the town of Cashion where they raised their three children.

Connie was a longtime employee at Cashion Public School, served on Cashion’s volunteer fire and EMS department and then began working at the State Department of Education where she retired on Feb. 1, 2007.

Connie was a charter member of the First Baptist Church of Cashion and was a member of the community for over 50 years. Connie has many people in the area that she considered family; and many kids (now adults) that she considered hers.

Connie was preceded in death by her husband Homer Nelson, parents Odis and Opal Duke, sister Virginia Moore, and brother Curtis Duke.

Connie is survived by her dear friend Paul Simon; three born children, Donna Little and husband Austin of Norman, Darrel Nelson and wife Danielle of Pullman, Wash., Barbara Bailey and husband Billy of Sand Springs; eight grandchildren, Bryan Nakvinda (Anne) of Guthrie, Elisha Pruitt (Wade) of Yukon, Hanah Jones (Tyler) of Tulsa, and Sarah, Jacob, Katie, Christian, and Brenden Poulter of Tulsa; and five great-grandchildren, Jhett, Tripp, Hazel, Mazie, and Vlad.

Connie was so loved that she had another set of children and grandchildren through her beloved relationship with Paul Simon: Chris (Michele) Simon, Randy (Priscilla) Simon, Michael (Shandi) Simon, Ryan (Chloe) Simon, Jason (Ashley) Simon, and Paige (Grayson) Hall; nine grandchildren; sister Shellia (Larry) Watson and brother Earl Duke as well as a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.

Services for the family will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, at the First Baptist Church of Cashion (services will also be streamed online) and a public graveside service to begin at 10:45 a.m. at Cashion Cemetery.

Funeral services are under the direction of Smith-Gallo Funeral Home in Guthrie and services officiated by Jason Simon of Fort Worth, Texas.

Out of respect for our surviving family members, please wear a mask if attending services in person and feel free to join us via live stream if you are feeling ill or if you have a compromised immune system.

Friends may sign an online guestbook at www. smithgallo.com.