Valeria Ann Shively Nelson
Valeria Ann Shively Nelson, 90, of Spencer, died on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at Mulberry Creek Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Martinsville. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bennie Ray Nelson; her son, Thomas Bennie Nelson; and brother Julius Shively
Valeria was born in Bassett, Virginia on April 26, 1935. She was the daughter of the late E.M. "Lish" and Milcye Foley Shively. She was a 1953 graduate of Hardin Reynolds Memorial School in Critz, Va. She and her husband Bennie lived in Henry County for the entire 61 years of their married life.
Valeria worked as a medical insurance clerk and was a teacher's aide at Spencer-Penn Elementary School in the 1970's, but she spent most of her life as a homemaker. She was a member of Friendly Christian Church and often attended Rebirth Ministries in Martinsville.
She is survived by a daughter, Rev. Joyce Poole Harville (Timmy) of Church Road; a son, Ray McCray Nelson (Laura) of Midlothian; granddaughters, Jessica K. Lucas of Martinsville; Anna N. Jones (Brent) of Midlothian; Grandsons, Benjamin Nelson (Karen) of Richmond; Joshua Poole of Richmond; and Timothy Carson Harville of Church Road; five great-grandchildren; and numerous step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.
The family would like to thank special friends, Jan and Jack Plaster, and the staff of Mulberry Creek Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for the excellent care they provided. Bassett Funeral Home is serving the Nelson family.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, June 20 at 3:00 pm in the chapel of Bassett Funeral Service, with Rev. Joyce P. Harville and Pastor Justin S. Lucas officiating. Flowers are welcome, but memorial donations may also be made to First Christian Church. On the memo line, write Hope House, which is a residential recovery house for men who are recovering from alcohol and drug addiction.
Mail to: First Christian Church, 203 North 11th Avenue, Hopewell, VA, 23860.
Online condolences may be shared at www.bassettfuneralservice.com. Bassett Funeral Service is honored to serve the Nelson family.
