Connie Luann Nelson

On June 4th, 1959, a beautiful baby girl was born to the late Irvin Lee and the late Bertha Curry, they named her Connie Luann Lee. Connie was their fifth child of six. She and her siblings Linda, Brenda, Irvin, Ronald and Darlene, were raised in a very loving home in Williamsburg Brooklyn, before relocating to Cleveland Street. Connie had siblings from her parents' earlier marriages, Donald Lee of Reidsville, NC, Bobby Lee Evans and Joseph Evans of Georgia.

In her early life she attended P.S. 202, JHS 64, and Thomas Jefferson Highschool, where she excelled in her studies and numerous extracurriculars including gymnastics, swimming, and martial arts. Over the years she held various clerical and retail jobs, notably with the U.S Open Tennis Championship, and even tried her hand at running an at-home business. These all took a backseat once slowed down by a severe and hard to manage diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

On October 29th, 1983, Connie married her neighborhood sweetheart Kevin Nelson and they were blessed with four beautiful children named Craig, Kevin Jr., Connie Jr. (Noni), and Karen.

Connie was a kind and generous woman, skilled at cooking and taking care of home. Although she did not attend college, she had a love for learning and culture. The internet was her virtual passport and library with which she could read, watch, and travel the world. She was a joy to converse with and could hold her own in talks with just about anyone. She had new and diverse hobbies, was part of a social center, and studying towards hospitality certifications in plan to start a business. Connie remained steadfast in her faith throughout her life — would pray, encourage, and believe in you more than you did yourself. She was a prayer warrior and not a worrier.

As most, she was a member of the Baptist Christian Church, but over 5 years ago was called to the truth of Christ and her nationality. She began faithfully and dutifully studying her bible thoroughly, adhering to the laws, commandments, and partaking in the celebration of holy days; she moved away from man-made holidays and activities. With her fringes on, she’d enlighten her friends & family about who they/we are. A walk of life in which she never backslid, was proud of, and encouraged others to delve deeper into.

Though she was not the most financially gainful person; with what she had, she did for others.  She remained a charitable woman – sharing space out of her home to relatives and friends who needed it — without charge. She’d prepare meals for the hungry, and babysit so that others could move forward in their jobs or education. Sometimes thanklessly, she still did these things and asked for nothing in return.

She carried herself with style and grace; with warmth that touched the hearts of all who knew her. Her friends often refer to her as their “angel”. Because of her, we have gained an extended family of aunts, an uncle, and a sister who have endured with us. Barbara, Betty, Paulette, Carlos and Tanique.

As her children, she was and will always be remembered as a wonderful mother, friend, nurturer, instructor, and mentor who showed relentless strength and perseverance throughout her life and was the pillar of her family unit. She was the center, the rock. She gave us the bravery to be ourselves and try new things. To her son Kevin, she helped develop his imagination and knack for story-telling. Through her vivid imagination she’d read to him until he could read for himself; she told stories and painted pictures with keepsake photos from our shared past as a family.

Most importantly, she instilled in us decency, respect for self and others, intelligence and life smarts, faith, reasoning, strength, confidence, courtesy, and many other talents and skills needed in life – The things that can’t be taught in school. She taught us responsibility, and how to treat others. Our mother was a loving, patient, and selfless person to a fault. Through her stories of her parents and instilled teachings her essence will always be here, she will always be here shining through each of us.

In late March of 2020 she became ill, from what we didn’t know at the time was Coronavirus. Within a week she was admitted to the hospital where she got the chance to speak with her closest loved ones, but sadly was put on a ventilator just two days later. Connie was a fighter through those two weeks and was removed from intubation and was set to be moved to a rehabilitation facility. Unfortunately, she experienced medical setbacks so severe she’d need to be put back on the ventilator. She fought on for another week, but succumbed to the virus on the sunrise of Sunday May 3rd 2020.

Connie goes on to join hands with her mother Bertha, her father Irvin Sr., her sister Linda, and her brothers Irvin Jr., Donald, Bobby Lee, and Joseph, her best-friend Linda, her god-son Shawn, and other family & friends.

Living on through her are four children: Craig, Kevin Jr., Connie Jr. (Noni), and Karen, Her god-children and Husband,

Her Granddaughters: Christina, Cassandra, and Shya.

Siblings: Brenda, Ronald, and Darlene,

Her cousins, nieces and nephews, in-laws, and a host of family and friends.

<Our Loving Mother, Wife, Sister, Aunt, Friend>

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Connie Luann Nelson, please visit our floral store.