Carolyn (Shadel) Nelson, daughter of Frank and Flo (Johnson) Shadel, age 85, of Dayton, Ohio, left the troubles of this fallen world behind and was welcomed into the loving arms of Jesus on December 6, 2024.
Carolyn was born October 27, 1939, in Lebanon, MO. She and her older brother, T.J. grew up on the family farm near Lebanon, MO. The family attended Antioch Baptist Church, located near the family farm. Carolyn’s soul was saved at a youth retreat she attended, and she has served the Lord Jesus faithfully ever since.
Carolyn graduated Lebanon High School in 1957 and then attended college for a year there following. Always having a passion for music and singing, she was considering attending music college, but the Lord had other plans for her future.
She met and fell in love with Bob (Robert) Nelson, from nearby Nebo, MO. They married in 1961, honeymooned in Colorado Springs and then quickly hopped on a plane and moved to Tokyo, Japan, where Bob had taken a job in sales with the Proctor and Gamble Corporation. Carolyn had never flown on an airplane prior to that trip. What a change of lifestyle from the tranquil family farm to bustling metropolis of Tokyo!
After 2 years in Tokyo, Bob and Carolyn relocated back to America; living in Santa Monica, CA and Memphis, TN before relocating again to Honolulu, Hawaii. There on Oahu, Paul Christopher Nelson was born in 1964 (passed away shortly after birth). A second son, Bradley Nelson was born in 1966 on Oahu as well. In 1968, Bob, Carolyn and Bradley relocated to Dayton, Ohio, where Carolyn lived until her passing.
Carolyn is survived by her son Bradley Nelson, an Architect currently residing in Chicago, as well as many cherished family members and countless dear friends.
Carolyn’s life was wholly dedicated to following the Lord Jesus, sharing the gospel with others and making a wonderful home for her family. Her prayer was always that others would see Jesus in her life and in the lives of her family.
Carolyn was always generous of spirit, had genuine compassion for others less fortunate, those going through difficult times and particularly for those lost souls in need of hearing the gospel of Jesus. In the tradition of her beloved parents, Frank and Flo Shadel, she treated everyone she would encounter with the same dignity and showed genuine interest in their lives. She was always looking for any opening to share the gospel and would always offer a helping hand for those who needed it.
Carolyn would regularly stop the car in a downpour to give her umbrella to someone walking down the street without one. If she noticed someone regularly walking to get their groceries in the neighborhood because they didn’t have a car, she would offer to drive them to the grocery store. She would get to know the people working in shops and restaurants she frequented, always looking to see if she could pray for them or invite them to church. Sure, she donated to charities and gave offerings to the church, but it is the difference she made in others’ lives, by engaging them lovingly and directly, with genuine love and concern for their needs that likely made the greatest impact for accomplishing the Lord’s plan and bringing Him more glory.
Carolyn was a wonderful gift to this world, reflected Jesus’ light brightly and she will be greatly missed in our earthly lives. It is without doubt that she enjoys great eternal riches in heaven, reunited with those beloved ones who preceded her in arriving there, thanked by those whom she introduced to the gospel and is overjoyed at having direct, in-person fellowship with Jesus, who she loved with her full heart and soul.
Funeral services for Carolyn (Shadel) Nelson will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, December 12, 2024, at Shadel’s Colonial Chapel with Pastor David Brown officiating. Burial will be in Lebanon Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1-2 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to Fairhaven Church.
Arrangements are under the direction of Shadel’s Colonial Chapel of Lebanon. Sign guest book at www.shadelscolonialchapel.com.
