Annabelle Nelson was a tireless volunteer for Women in Need of God’s Shelter (W.I.N.G.S.) and one who can never be replaced.
On Monday, W.I.N.G.S. director Jean Spring and the staff of Southwest Mississippi Christian Outreach Ministries honored Nelson by presenting her family with the first Annabelle Nelson Volunteer Award.
Family members on hand to accept the award were Nelson’s sisters, Elizabeth Jordan and Marie Talbert, as well as her nephew, Dante Tolbert.
Nelson died of cancer in 2011, but her presence is still strong for Spring and other volunteers.
“Every day, seven days a week, Miss Annabelle was there to volunteer. As we moved from our tiny building into the city of Mccomb, Annabelle continued to come volunteer,” Spring said.
“She drove over 15 miles a day, one way. She would come early and stay late,” Spring said.
Spring said Nelson “lived her life as a Christian every day. She was quick to listen but never judged. Annabell was a well educated woman and a retired teacher.”
“I would hear her stress the importance of an education to children and youth as they would come through the store,” Spring said.
She noted that cancer didn’t stop Nelson from volunteering, although it slowed her down a bit. She was always willing to go the extra mile.
And when Nelson left the W.I.N.G.S. store, she offered to take clothing home to mend or remove spots.
Spring praised all other volunteers who were honored on Monday, saying she treasured each one of them for their help.
Other honorees were Susan Kraft, “Miss” Clem Jordan, 16-year-old Nathaniel Gonsalves, who spent his summer helping out at the organization, Edna Varnado, Charles Ray and Spring’s husband, Ken, who she said does much work on building jobs himself.
