Vera Alveda (Lawson) Nelson, 76, of Welaka, entered the sunset of life on Wednesday, December 7, 2011 at Kindred Hospital - North Florida, Green Cove Springs, FL, following an extended illness. A native of Palatka, she was born on Monday, July 29, 1935 to Linnie Torrence and Benjamin James Lawson. Vera was subsequently adopted and raised by her paternal grandmother, Candy Brooks and was also very devoted to her surrogate mother, Rosa Lee Russ. She was a graduate of Central Academy High School, class of 1951. At the age of 22, she fell in love with and married Alfred Williams of Sylvania, GA., and they resided in Ft. Lauderdale and were the parents of four children. Nearly 15 years later, she united in marriage to Ernest Bernard Nelson, Sr., and in 1977, they relocated back to Putnam County. She was a faithful member of Calvary Missionary Baptist Church until her health declined considerably and was a dedicated school bus driver in the Putnam County School District for over 15 years. For decades, Vera touched the lives of many within her community, especially her family and dear friends.

In addition to her parents and husbands, she was preceded in eternal rest by her paternal grandmother, Candy Brooks and surrogate mother, Rosa Lee Russ; step-son, Ernest Nelson, Jr.,

Those who cherish her memories: six children: Sharon Williams Allwood, Palatka; Audrey Williams Heard (Kenny) Welaka; Larry Williams, Jacksonville; Nora Candee Williams Byas (Aaron), Panama City; Altamese Gibbs McDuffy, Palatka; Jeffery Spates, Panama City; stepchildren; Willie Earl Nelson (Vickie), Palatka; Carolyn Nelson Bennett (Andrew), Winter Park; Alonzo Nelson (Ann), Ozark, Alabama; 8 grandchildren, Granville Allwood, Earl Tracy Nelson, Kevin Williams, Shanora Smith, Demetrius Thomas, Aaron Byas, Jr., Jordon Byas and Willie McDuffy, and a host of great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends.

Visitation of family and friends will be from 5-8 p.m., Friday, December 9, 2011 at the "Chapel of Serenity." Homegoing Celebration will be 12 noon Saturday, December 10 at Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, 322 North 10th Street, Palatka. Reverend Frederick T. Demps, pastor, is the eulogist.

Interment will be in Pattersonville Memorial Cemetery, East Palatka