Mercedes Ann Nelson

March 21, 1928 - January 18, 2021

Mercedes Ann Hardesty Nelson, 93, peacefully passed from this world on January 18, 2021, at her residence in Stockton, California. Mercedes was born March 21, 1928, in Bloomington, Illinois, the daughter of Thomas Lafayette Hardesty and Mary Loretta Miller Hardesty. Mercedes graduated from the University of Illinois, Springfield, class of 1950, with a degree in nursing. Shortly after her graduation, she married her sweetheart, James Eugene Nelson. A little over a year later, they started their family with the birth of their first-born, James M. Nelson, and moved to California where they put down roots to raise their family, shortly after the birth of her second son, Keith E. Nelson. Mercedes and her loving husband James would continue growing their family with the births of their children, Mary C. Nelson, Brian A. Nelson, Irene E. Nelson, and Glenn L. Nelson. Besides her passion for nursing, Mercedes enjoyed many hobbies. Some of her favorite past-times were reading, sewing, needlework, and painting. She enjoyed swimming, gardening, and baking. She loved to be surrounded by her children and grandchildren, who all held very special places in her heart. Predeceased by her husband of forty-four years, she leaves behind all six of her children, eighteen loving grandchildren, thirteen adorable great-grandchildren, two precious great-grand-children, a brother, and a sister who will all miss her immensely. A memorial mass in honour of Mercedes Ann Nelson will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, March 26, 2021, at Saint Bernard's Church in Tracy, California. Those who wish to remember Mercedes in a special way may make gifts in her memory to Oakland's Children Hospital.