Shirley Theresa Nelson

Shirley Theresa Nelson, 85, passed away on February 11, 2024 in Alamogordo, New Mexico. She was born on July 6, 1938 in Windsor, Vermont to Edward and Elsie (Anderson) Bishop. 

Shirley graduated from Windsor High School, attended Mt. Ida College in Newton Center, Massachusetts and worked at Boston City Hospital.  She moved to Alamogordo in 1957, attended NMSU-A and worked at Charles & Garland Insurance Agency.  She married Gordon L. Nelson on January 25, 1958.

Shirley was widely involved in the Alamogordo community and served in various positions of many organizations.   She worked at the Alamogordo Chamber of Commerce from 1959 to 1995 (36 Years) and retired as Assistant Executive Director.  Chamber activities included:  Chamber of Commerce Board of Director 1996-2000, Cottonwood Festival Board Sponsor 1995-2000, Transportation Committee, Frontier Village Committee, Thanks Team Holloman and all Chamber committees.  In 1994 she was Alamogordo's Citizen of the Year.  She was on the Board of Directors of the International Space Hall of Fame Foundation.  She worked with the Alamogordo/Otero County Centennial as secretary from 1996 to 2000 and the Mayor's Committee on Historical Preservation.  She was in the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, Alpha Upsilon Chapter president and City Council president.  She was past area Chairman of the Arthritis Foundation, on the Kids Kingdom Committee and Spirit of the Women Honoree for 2004.  She was a charter member in 1990 of the Alamogordo Noon Kiwanis and served on their Board of Directors from 1990 to 2006 as well as offices of President (1994-1995), Treasurer (1997-2000), Secretary (2002-2003), Vice President and President Elect.  She was also Lt. Governor for Kiwanis Southwest Dist. (2005-2006).  Beyond all this she was part of the Extension Service Advisory Committee and the Alamogordo High School Cooperative Education Training Committee.  In her spare time her hobbies included reading, knitting and cross stitch and she loved water skiing and motorcycle riding.

Survivors include her son, Curtis (Michelle) Nelson of Alamogordo, NM; daughter, Debora (Yancey) Kelly of Stanton, KY; granddaughter, Kimberley Green and great-granddaughter, Evelyn Gallagher of Worthington Springs, FL; grandson, Tyler (Ellen) Green of Chapel Hill, NC; sister, Brenda Reed of Charlestown, NH; Sister-in-law, Sandra Bishop of Redman, WA.

She was preceded in death by her father, Edward Bishop Sr.; mother, Elsie Lydia Bishop; husband, Gordon Lee Nelson; son, Brian Nelson; brother, Edward Bishop Jr.; sisters, Elizabeth Wiley, Margaret Rising, and Cynthia LaClair.

Services will be held at Scenic Chapel on Monday, February 26,2024 with visitation from 9am to 11am and funeral service at 11am.

Burial will follow at Monte Vista Cemetery.

The Nelson family has entrusted their loved one to the care of Scenic Chapel to direct the funeral services.

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