Mrs. Maria Annette Edwards Nelson, age 61, a resident of Horatio, passed from this life at her home, surrounded by her family.  Maria was born to Supt. E. A. Edwards and Betty Jo Grant Edwards on February 7, 1964.  Maria married Jessie Leroy Nelson in De Queen, Arkansas on July 28, 1984.  She worked for Sevier County Development Center as a consultant, providing quality assurance and she provided billing services for other Medicaid Waiver providers.  She also worked as a Chaplain for Marketplace Ministries and was a licensed Missionary in the Arkansas Second Jurisdiction Church of God In Christ.   Maria loved the Lord and was a member of Lewis Temple Church of God In Christ in De Queen, where she worked in various administrative and ministerial capacities.  She enjoyed cooking and sharing recipes, mission work, her grandchildren's academic and athletic activities, and serving others.  Maria was a liaison for the community and will be sorely missed.

She was preceded in death by her father, Supt. E. A. Edwards, a brother, Jerome Edwards, a son-in-law, Corey Kimbrough, a sister-in-law, Linda "Cookie" Polk, and her mother-in-law, Pearlie Nelson.

Maria leaves to cherish her memory, her beloved husband for over 40 years, Leroy Nelson of Horatio, Arkansas; three daughters, Jessica and her husband,  Orlandus Green, III of Texarkana, Texas, Danielle Kimbrough of Alexander, Arkansas, and Latricia "Nikki" Nelson of Dallas, Texas; her mother, Betty Edwards of De Queen; five grandchildren, Kadence Kimbrough, Malachi McDonald, Corey "Deuce" Kimbrough, Emory Green, and Olivia Green; one brother and sister-in-law, Lavelle and Veronica Edwards of Little Rock, Arkansas; three sisters and brothers-in-law, Renee and Carl Fricks of Ashdown, Arkansas, Sharon Craig of Murfreesboro, and Charlotte and Eld. Carlton Malvin of Little Rock, Arkansas; three sisters-in-law, Patricia Hearn of Texarkana, Texas, Mary Thompson of Texarkana, Texas, and Aundria Edwards of De Queen; a brother-in-law, Lucious Jeffries and his wife Donna, and a host of nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.

Funeral Services for Mrs. Maria Nelson will be held on Monday, May 19, 2025, at 2:00 P.M. at Lewis Temple Church of God in Christ with Pastor Carlton Malvin officiating.  Burial will follow in Redmen Cemetery under the direction of Chandler Funeral Home.  Visitation will be Sunday, May 18, 2025, from 3:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. in the Chandler Funeral Home Chapel, De Queen, Arkansas.  You may send an online condolence at www.chandlerfuneral.com or you may visit the Chandler Funeral Home Facebook page.