Mary Ann “Cookie” Nelson (May 11th, 1948 – May 28th, 2026)

Mary Ann "Cookie" Nelson, 78, of Duncanville, went home to be with Jesus on May 28, 2026.

Graveside services will be at the Gilgal Baptist Church cemetery, Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 11 a.m. Brother Bart Latner will be officiating, and Magnolia Chapel South will be directing.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Mary Lou Hunt; her father, James Styes; her granddaughter, Anna Harbin; and her daughter-in-law, Robin Nelson.

Cookie leaves behind her husband of 62 years, Homer Leon "Skipper" Nelson Jr.; three children: sons Jeff Nelson and Tony (Debbie) Nelson, and daughter Mary Beth Nelson; sister Betty (Carl) Walker; and brother Johnny (Ann) Koster. Cookie was blessed to have thirteen grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind a wonderful, large family of brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.

Cookie was born in Bessemer, Alabama, on May 11, 1948. She lived in Fosters, Alabama, as a child and attended Tuscaloosa County High School. She acquired her unique name on those long bus rides to Fosters by handing out cookies to eat after school. Skipper and Cookie lived in the Robert Gooden trailer park before moving a few miles down the road to the Gilgal Community in 1972. There, they would build their family home and raise their children. In the early stages of her career, Cookie worked for PECO Foods and then moved to AIF, where she was in management. While at AIF, Cookie was sent to Atlanta to learn how to start up their very first computer system. After AIF, Cookie's career took her to the radio station at the University of Alabama. On Saturday nights, you could tune in to WUAL, where you could listen to your favorite bluegrass sound. After numerous years with the University, she chose to retire and enjoy the fruits of her labor.

In the early 1970s, Skipper and Cookie joined Gilgal Baptist Church. Cookie served her Lord and Savior through her church in many different ways. Cookie and Mona Harris taught a children's Sunday School class for many years. There, together, they planted a seed for many children to grow up knowing Jesus. She remained a member of Gilgal until her passing.

What we have learned from Cookie is what Jesus has taught us from the beginning, and that is to love everyone who walks through your door of life.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Gilgal Baptist Children's Church fund.