Shirley Harel Nelson- age 90 passed away peacefully on Thursday April 23, 2026. She was born on March 5, 1936, in Davidson County, Tennessee. At the age of seven, she moved to Lebanon, where she spent the remainder of her life.
Shirley was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was first married to Billy Harel on September 20, 1957, who preceded her in death on February 14, 2000. She later married Clyde Ed Nelson on August 27, 2007.
She is preceded in death by her parents Harold Fite and Dorothy Summers and half brother, Steven Carroll. She is survived by her loving children, Phyllis Worley and Mitchell Harel (Cindy); her cherished grandchildren, Jessica Howard, Allie (Clint) Allen, and Hannah (Darrell) Clark; and her great-grandchildren, Jayden McGowen Harel, E.J. Howard, Kingston Howard, Kinsley Allen & Magnolia Allen and half sister, Tanya Sellars.
Shirley dedicated over 30 years of service as a Social Counselor with the Tennessee Department of Human Services, retiring in 2006.
A woman of strong faith, Shirley became a Christian on October 29, 1950, and was a faithful member of First Baptist Church. She had a deep love for children and, alongside her husband Billy, opened the first daycare center in Lebanon in 1965. Their home was always filled with laughter and the joy of children. Shirley also served as a teacher and director of the kindergarten at First Baptist Church for ten years, leaving a lasting impact on countless young lives.
Shirley lived her life with joy, energy, and purpose, celebrating each day as a blessing. She found comfort in her faith and often shared that her greatest peace came from knowing where she was going when the Lord called her home. She cared deeply for those she loved and longed for all to share in the hope of heaven.
She enjoyed writing stories and poems and had a desire to one day write a book to encourage caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s disease. Her favorite Bible passage was Matthew 7:7-8.
Serving as pallbearers will be Jason Partlow, Rex Adkins Jr., Kevin Stearman, Darrell Clark, Bob Halbert & Daqcus Alexander.
Shirley will be remembered for her kind heart, her unwavering faith, and the love she poured into her family and community. Her legacy will live on in all who were blessed to know her.
Visitation for Shirley will be held Tuesday, April 28th from 11 a.m to 1 p.m in the Partlow Funeral Chapel. Funeral service to follow at 1:00 p.m. Interment will take place in the Cedar Grove Cemetery with Jeff Pratt to officiate the services. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Shirley’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, 1801 West End Ave. #200, Nashville, TN 37203.
