Jean H. Nelson, 92, passed away peacefully in her home on February 14, 2025 at Uplands Village Retirement Community in Pleasant Hill, TN. She was born on July 8, 1932 to Florence and Elmer Hoffman in Ridgely MD. She was raised in her hometown and graduated from Ridgely High School in 1949, where she received the Good Citizenship Award. Jean attended Towson State Teachers College in MD for two years, then married Bill Carroll. They had one daughter, Lou Ann. After Bill's early death from a horse riding accident, Jean completed her BS Degree from Salisbury State Teachers College MD. There she met and married Andrew Dickerson and they had three daughters: Margie, Andra, and Porter. Jean taught Elementary School for 22 years. After their divorce in 1977, she married Don Nelson, in 1978, father of four children. The blended family lived in Newark DE.

Don and Jean, married 46 years, traveled and camped in 48 states. In retirement, they enjoyed four beautiful homes: first on Smith Mountain Lake VA, then on Hillsboro Island FL, next in Jaffrey, NH, and last Pleasant Hill TN. Jean received awards for her many volunteer activities, was President of the Waterfront Women's Club VA, Jaffrey NH Women's Club, and on the Board of Trustees for The Park Theater NH. She loved photography and entertaining family and friends in their home, especially teaching Bridge and organizing Bridge Clubs.

At Uplands Village, Jean and Don were members of the Pleasant Hill Community Church. Jean, photographer with editor/co-producer Don created monthly web albums for Uplands Village and PHCC.

Services at Fleegle-Helfenbein Funeral Home in Greensboro, MD on Sunday, March 2nd. Viewing 11:00 to noon before service. Interment at Greensboro Cemetery. Reception at Ridgely Methodist Church starting at 2:00. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ridgely Methodist Church.

Jean was preceded in death by her mother, Florence Messenger Porter and step-father Harvey Mitchell Porter of Ridgely MD and her sister, Joy Ann Viverette and brother-in-law, John Viverette of Baltimore MD. She is survived by her husband, Donald Emery Nelson of Pleasant Hill TN, 4 daughters and sons-in-law Lou Ann and Daniel Hitchens, Pleasant Hill, TN; Margie and Neil Craver, The Villages FL; Andra Beames of Deerfield Beach FL; and Porter Knight of Owego, NY. 2 Step-sons and 2 step-daughters Scott and Mary Ann Nelson of New Castle DE, Donna Pollhammer of New Windsor, MD, Kent and Gayle Nelson of West Gardiner, ME, and Beth and Mark Christensen of Grants Pass, OR. 7 Grandchildren Aviel Hitchens, Jordan Hitchens, Sam Beames, Sarah Beames, Storm Knight, Breezy Knight Malia, Megan Craver; 4 step-grandchildren: Robert Nelson, Tim Nelson, Michael Pollhammer, and Kelly Pollhammer Deimler; 8 great-grandchildren: Zia and Zorin Hitchens, Storm II, Piper, Rebel, and Ziggy Knight, Mit and Rip Malia; 1 step-great granddaughter Ellie Nelson.