Vella Nelson

On June 23, 2022, in the quiet and still of the morning, as the birds chirped a beautiful melody, Vella Nelson transitioned from labor to reward. 

Vella was born to Lee Willie and Zelda Buchanan on November 14, 1926, in Van Vleet, Mississippi. In her early ‘20s, she relocated to Albany, NY with her children. She soon became a devoted member of the Metropolitan New Testament Mission Baptist Church. She joined the choir, the Senior Home Mission, and the Host and Hostess Committee. She also served as the church cook for many functions. 

Vella was employed as a breakfast cook at the Quality Inn. She was an admired employee and was nicknamed “Vi” by the staff. Ofttimes you could find her name on the hotel’s marquee. It would either read “Employee of the Month, Vi Nelson” or “Come and have one of Vi’s famous omelets.” She would often say, “Baby, I’ve cracked many eggs”. After 20+ years, she retired. During her retirement, she loved to travel. Later, she became a cook for the Arbor Park Daycare, where she was known as Miss Vella. 

The name Vella was derived from the names of two of her aunts: Tilda V. and Louella. However, Vella was affectionately and lovingly called Madear (Mother Dearest) by her family. She was the beloved mother of Bonnie Sue Sturdivant, Betty Lou Johnson (aka Bellou) and Willie Roger Wallace Sr. (Boolie). She had quite the endearing relationship with her children. They, in turn, loved and adored their Queen and matriarch of our family. She was the loving and nurturing grandmother of Tandra, Gwendolyn, Dawn, Kimberly, Lloyd Jr., Danyale, Corey Sr., William Jr., Wille Roger Jr., Shawn, Janetha, and Dellaney. 

Our dear sweet Madear lived a long fulfilling life. She touched many lives. She had a special way of making people feel welcomed and worthy. She was witty, loyal, forgiving, caring, giving, kind, funny, sharp, brave, compassionate, etc. She had many favorite pastimes, such as gardening, BINGO, Pokeno, family dinners, caregiving, and watching Gospel DVDs. However, she will be best known for her all-time favorite pastime – Fishing!

Madear loved to fish! She could fish for countless hours. She would say it was relaxing and that it took her mind off everything. Once, she went fishing 3 times in 1 day! It was the funniest thing to watch her get out of one car only to hop into another. She would enlist the help of her family and friends to help her “catch” worms to use as bait. She would say the skinny worms were better to fish with. She could out-fish any man. In fact, when they saw her coming, they would pack up their gear and leave because they knew it was a wrap. 

When fishing season was over, Madear would focus on her BINGO. When she would win, she would come home and throw her winnings in the air and say, “I tore ‘em up tonight!” All year round, she would watch her Gospel DVDs. She was an avid fan of male quartet groups, with the Pilgrim Jubilees being her all-time favorite. Her other favorites were Willie Neal and the Gospel Keynotes, Mighty Clouds of Joy, Canton Spirituals, Rance Allen Group, and Lee Williams and the Gospel QCs, to name a few. She later developed a fondness of Reverend Frank E. Ray’s rendition of “Move Upstairs.” In the mid-1990s, Madear had the fortunate chance to meet Gospel great, Joe Ligon. He visited her at her home. She prepared fish and grits for him, and he serenaded her with a few Mighty Clouds of Joy classics. 

Madear was known for her wit and many one-liners including: “I hate that hole in your sock”, “I don’t have to eat the whole pig to know I’m eating pork”, “Did I stutter?”, “Ain’t hit a lick at a snake”, “Sure, I’m right”, “I ain’t no joke”, “Sharp as a rat turd”, “Baby, one monkey don’t stop no show”, “You better slow your Mustang down”, “Any fool would know”, and her all-time famous saying, “I’m gonna say this and leave it alone.” 

Vella, aka Vi, aka Madear, aka Miss Vella, and aka Bebat (a nickname given to her by her cousin John) will be sorely missed by many. She touched many lives. Though she endured great loss, she had many happy times. We find comfort in knowing that she is resting with her babies. Until we meet again, rest well our Queen. 

Vella was predeceased by her parents Lee Willie and Zelda, her siblings Alex, Saderia, Cloteria, Willie C., Madie Bell, Tim, L.T., Bernice, and Elise, as well as her children, Bonnie, Betty, and Boolie. She was also predeceased by her special niece JoAnn Buchanan, son-in-law Lloyd Johnson Sr., grandson Lloyd Johnson Jr., grandson-in-laws Duke Simmons and Brian Durr, special friends Janie Holt and Angie Parker, and a host of other family and friends. 

Left to cherish her memory: grandchildren Tandra LaGrone (Roxanne), Gwendolyn Simmons (Donald), Dawn Durr, Kimberly DeMarco (Michael), Danyale Sturdivant, Corey Johnson Sr. (Rakeya), William Sturdivant Jr. (Nancy), Willie Roger Wallace (Faye), Shawn Johnson Sr. (Robin), Janetha Griffin (Fred), and Dellaney Wallace. Also, 35 great-grandchildren and 32 great-great-grandchildren, daughter-in-love Janice Jones, granddaughter-in-love Marla Chestnut, grandson-in-love B.T. Willingham, special friends Beatrice Melton and Estelle Carr, and a host of other nieces and nephews and other family and friends

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