Josephine Nelson

Josephine Nelson, 84, died Friday, July 19, 2013 at her residence in Merkel, Texas. The daughter of Mary Virginia (Roys) and Jodie William Gonzilas, Josephine was born on December 20, 1928 in Caldwell, Texas. She was a homemaker. She married James A. “Jim” Nelson, Jr. on October 14, 2006 in Denison, Texas. She was preceded in death by two sons, Daniel Gilbreath and Kenneth Gilbreath; her parents; and brothers, Grady Gonzilas and Edward Gonzilas. Josephine is survived by her husband, Jim Nelson, Jr. of Merkel; daughters, Mary Jo Counts and husband Donald of Denison, and Joann Lewis of Plano; sons, John Gilbreath and wife Janie of Earie, KS and Calvin Gilbreath of Athens, AR; stepdaughter, Kim Myers and husband Tim Rider of Olathe, CO; stepsons, Mike Nelson and wife Lisa of Hawley, and David Nelson of Abilene; 13 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; five step-grandchildren; three step-great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 24, at Tye Baptist Church with Rev. Jim Ritter officiating. Burial will follow in Tye Cemetery directed by The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Rd. in Abilene. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 23, at the funeral home.