Marilyn Nelson

Marilyn Nelson passed away peacefully in her sleep January 26, 2022 at The Laurels of Hendersonville North Carolina.  She was born to Torrance & Margaret Nelson on June 16, 1932 in Augusta, Georgia while her parents were living in Edgefield, South Carolina.  Marilyn was predeceased by her parents and survived by her only sibling, younger brother Jerry Nelson in Cocoa Beach, Florida.

Marilyn was a graduate of Greenville High School and The College of William & Mary, and received other advanced degrees.  At W&M she studied her favorite passion: History.  She followed in her parents’ footsteps and was a life-long educator, teaching high school Spanish and History in Greenville, New Orleans, Guatemala, and Venezuela.

Marilyn loved to travel, and quickly became a historical authority on places she visited.  She was very personable and a delightful conversationalist on a wide array of topics.  She loved music and played piano for several Sunday School classes at her church, First Baptist Greenville, and later in her assisted living communities.

One of Marilyn’s proudest adventures was playing on TV’s JEOPARDY, winning the first two days only being eliminated in day three after “too much New York City!”.

Marilyn arranged to donate her body to Medical University of South Carolina, a wish that has been fulfilled.

No memorial service has been planned at this time. If you would like to be notified about any arrangements that are made for a memorial service, please contact First Baptist Church Greenville at firstbaptistgreenville.com or 864-233-252 and provide them with your contact information.

Gifts in her name may be made to First Baptist Church Greenville at firstbaptistgreenville.com or 847 Cleveland Street Greenville, SC 29601.