Irma Maria Nelson

Irmgard “Irma” Maria Karl Nelson, 94 went home to be with the Lord on November 17, 2024, at Cooperwood Assisted Living, Flowood, Mississippi.

Irma was born on April 26,1930 in Hallein, Austria to Stefan and Cäcilia Meindl Karl. Even though she lived through and survived the tragedies of WWII, her love for her homeland stayed very close to her heart. When her father went off to war, he left Irma with the task of caring for her mother and sister. When her father became a prisoner of war, the weight of caring for her family was hard; however, through her determination and strength she carried out the tasks until her father came home.

At 17 years of age, she made her way to the United States making her home in Georgetown, MS. A close friend encouraged her to attend cosmetology school which lead her to enroll into Fondren Sisters Beauty Salon and Beauty School on West Capitol Street Jackson, MS. She began her career at Mississippi State Hospital and continued working with one of her dear friends, Clarence Carr at Art Beauty Salon where they served the elite ladies of Jackson. 

Upon marrying Tom, they would relocate throughout his career, which included Gulfport, MS, back to Jackson, MS, ending in Atlanta, GA until his retirement.

No matter where they lived, they were always active in the local church: Woodville Heights Baptist Church, Jackson, MS, First Baptist Church of Jonesboro, GA, and lastly Crossgates Baptist Church, Brandon, MS. It was during her early years of marriage to Tom, she came to know the Lord. It was very important to her that her family come to know the Lord. As often as she could, she would share the Lord with her family from Austria. That was a great burden of hers.

She and Tom began their passion for square dancing in Georgia and it continued when they moved back to Brandon. They were active members of Chimneyville and Sunshine square-dancing groups. One of their greatest joys was performing yearly at the Mississippi State Fair. They traveled often spending time with Rebecca and Jeffrey in Oklahoma, Tampa, Atlanta, and Washington D.C..

They loved volunteering at Vacation Bible School and playing dominos with the PrimeTimers at Crossgates Baptist Church lead by the ministry of B.J. Teague. There most favorite pastime throughout their later years was spent building community at The Club of Brandon, sitting around the table drinking coffee, reading the newspaper, and catching up on the events of the day. People were amazed at her workout regimen, her motto was “use it or lose it.”

She loved reading her Bible, her daily devotions, and praying for her family nightly without fail. She knew that her faith would get her through anything. She was a living testimony of many trials, yet her faith stayed strong.

Until her health started declining, she spent her years being a dedicated wife, mother, mother-in-law, and friend.

Irma is survived by her two children: Stephen Nelson (Kathy) and Rebecca Johnson (Jeffrey) both of Brandon, MS; one grandchild: Daniel Barnett (Bailey); one great-grandchild: Lucy J. Barnett of Pelahatchie, MS, and extended family members of Monticello, MS.

Irma was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas "Tom" Nelson, her parents, Stefan and Cäcilia Karl, and her sister Gertraud "Trudy" (Albin) Ebner of Hallein, Austria, sister-in-law, B'Nita Brown of Brandon, MS, and late husband Gervas Brown (biological father of Stephen).

The family will hold a private graveside service at a later date in Monticello, MS.

In Lieu of Flowers, memorials may be made to the Center for Violence Prevention PO Box 6279, Pearl, MS 39288 or Brandon Gideons P.O. Box 324 Brandon, MS 39043.