Gloria Grace Nelson

Gloria Grace Grandy Nelson went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on September 19, 2004 at her daughter's home after an extended illness. A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, September 22, 2004 at 1:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in La Grande with Pastor Wayne Pickens officiating. Interment will follow at the Grandview Cemetery. Family and friends may call from 4p.m. until 6p.m. on Tuesday, September 21, 2004 at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 7th Street, La Grande, Oregon.

Gloria was born December 1, 1919 in La Grande, Oregon to William Dill Grandy and Ethel Rhodes Grandy. The family moved to Seattle, Washington where Gloria graduated from Seattle Pacific College and began her teaching career during World War II. It was in Seattle, Washington where she met Army Staff Sgt. Hobert Floyd Nelson who became her best friend and husband for 58 years. They met at Presbyterian Church on Easter Sunday in 1942 and continued their relationship via letters while Hobert served overseas. They married in 1946 at the first Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis, Indiana where Hobert was stationed. After the war they returned to La Grande, Oregon. Hobert, Gloria, and Gloria's brother Ben Grandy and his wife Anita opened the 2GI's Supply store in 1947, which is still in business today. Gloria taught school in Alicel and La Grande. Gloria was the bookkeeper for the family business, and was an encouraging loving mother to her three children. She was an active member of the First Baptist Church, AAUW, Beta Sigma Phi, VFW Auxiliary, and AARP. Gloria had many hobbies including swimming, square-dancing, bowling, riding snowmobiles, camping, cooking, boating and traveling.

Gloria is survived by her husband Hobert Nelson of La Grande, daughter Nance Ghattas of Bothell, Washington, son Dan Nelson of La Grande, daughter and son-in-law Virginia and Perry Sorenson of La Grande. She is also survived by her grandchildren Katherine Kersh in the US Army and a Junior at University of Oregon in Eugene, Michael Sorenson of Payette, Idaho and Brian Sorenson now attending college in Sacramento, California. And sisters-in-law, Anita Grandy and Shirley Grandy of California. She also leaves behind numerous beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Gloria was preceded in death by her mother Ethel Grandy, and her father William Grandy, brother Ben Grandy, her sister Ethel May Knight, and her step brother Roy Grandy.

Those who wish, may make contributions in memory of Gloria Nelson to the Senior Center or the Blue Mountain Humane Association in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 7th Street, La Grande, Oregon 97850.