Mary Jean (Martin) Nelson was born to Burton Craig & Lillie Mae Martin in Anniston, AL on March 29, 1933. Mary was the fourth of 10 children.

Mary is survived by her husband, Phil, of 69 years; her 3 children Doug & Ja Nae Nelson (Camano Island), Beth & David Thompson (Woodinville), Mike & Lori Nelson (Iowa); 7 grandchildren, Chris & Ivy Nelson, Kaitlin Thompson, Ehren & Kayte Nelson, Derek Thompson, Kyle & Kimberly Thompson, Holly Nelson, and Paige Nelson; and 3 great grandchildren, Sawyer & Harbor Nelson, Brie Thompson and a fourth great grandchild expected in August. She also is survived by her older sister Louise Martin (Alabama), and youngest brother John Martin (Mississippi).

When Mary was 16 she made her choice to serve God and follow Jesus. The hymn chosen that night was "Counted in" and she said that she wanted to be counted in with the faithful, the brave and the true. Mary's folks heard the gospel in 1926. They had become dissatisfied with the Baptist Church and when a tent mission came to town, her father he went to ask questions. They invited him to the meetings to have his questions answered. He was impressed when he saw them praying together because one was an Irishman and the other an Englishman. Mary's folks made their choice in that mission and had the Sunday Morning meeting in their home for many years.

Mary delivered papers for her father during her school years, as he had several paper routes for the Anniston Star. She graduated from Oxford High School in Anniston in 1952.

After graduating, Mary moved to Washington DC to join her sister Louise. She worked for the telephone company there for three years. It was there that she met Phil, as he was stationed nearby at Camp Pickett. They were joined in marriage on July 9th, 1955, after which they moved to Washington state.

Their first child, Douglas, was born in July 1958 on their third anniversary. Mary continued to be employed at Pacific NW Telephone company in Seattle until her second child, Elizabeth, was born in April 1961.

Phil and Mary moved to Georgia in the Fall of 1963 where Mary worked as a clerk at the Stone Mountain Hospital in Marietta. The Nelsons moved back to Washington state in the spring of 1966 where their third child, Michael, was born in May 1970. In 1975 the family moved from Kent to Fall City, WA.

For 5 years Mary worked at Boeing and would commute with Phil. After they both retired, they had a home in Yuma, AZ for 14 years. Their final move was to Monroe, until Mary was admitted to an adult family home in June 2021 so she could receive the care she needed.

Mary and Phil made many happy memories and good friends during their nearly 70 years together and many motorhome travels. Mary was a very faithful housewife over the years; she loved to pamper guests and entertain. She enjoyed spoiling her grandchildren and sneaking in an ice cream treat when she could. Mary was loved by many and will be missed.

There is a call-in phone number available upon request for the funeral service. Please call Gilbertson Funeral Home for more information.