Nelda Rice Wilson, 80, passed away surrounded by her family July 31st in Tulsa, Ok.

She was a one of a kind lady that will be greatly missed by so many. Words can't adequately describe her larger than life personality and colorful way of making even the most simple things into something extraordinary! To say that "she did it her way" is an understatement…She lived her life with strength and determination. One of her favorite sayings was "put a smile on your face and a song in your heart."

Nelda was born January 19th to Ernest and Fan Rice in Chandler, Ok. She was an only child but "adopted" many of her cousins as siblings…She graduated from Cushing High School and is credited with forming the Cushing High School Alumni association as well as creating the Alumni's newspaper and singlehandedly producing the publication for many years.

Nelda wore many hats professionally… She worked for Weight Watchers and briefly owned her own fitness center. She worked with the Jim Thorpe Memorial Assoc., Nelda was employed with the Cushing Daily Citizen and at one time was the editor for the Drumright Newspaper. She owned a music publishing company and enjoyed booking various recording artists… Most recently she wrote articles for the Corridor Magazine. Her personal interests were music, photography, sewing and decorating just to name a few. Nelda's imagination and creative abilities knew no bounds.

Nelda's greatest joy has always been her family. She was blessed with two daughters from her first marriage, Prisci and ReNae. Nelda married her devoted husband Joe nearly 46 years ago and together they had a daughter named Lori. Joe and Nelda moved to Tulsa in 1999 after being longtime Cushing residents to enjoy their young grandchildren. Nelda introduced her grandchildren to so many amazing experiences through theater and music. Her entire family has so many wonderful, unique "Nelda" memories through the years and she will live on forever in our hearts.

She is survived by loving husband Joe Wilson, daughter Renae Wood, daughter and son in law Prisci and Steve Loveland, daughter and son in law Lori Lynn and Kerry Blankenship…grandchildren Kristen Wasson, Shelli Shaffer, Jana Wood, Kerri Wiley, Melissa Boles, Greg Morgan, Gentry Lane...Lindsay Blankenship, Kennedy Blankenship, Will Blankenship and Elliot Blankenship…15 great grandchildren with one on the way.