Loula Belle "Lou" (DeWees) Nelson, 84, died peacefully on Friday, November 10, 2017 in her home after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. Lou was born December 13,1932 in Muskogee, but grew up and lived in Tulsa, OK.

Lou is survived by her children Mitchell Nelson and his wife, Billye, of Tulsa; L. Michele Nelson of Tulsa; Marcia (Nelson) Culver and her husband, Todd, of Monument, CO; her grandchildren Julie Rowell and her husband, Jason, of Edmond; Nathan and Mackenzie Culver of Monument, CO; sister Judy (DeWees) Wang and her husband, William, of Baton Rouge, LA; and brothers-in-law Wayne Nelson and his wife, Jennette, of Oklahoma City, and Fred Nelson of Bentonville, AR.

Lou married her high school sweetheart, Frank Nelson, on June 13, 1953. They met in youth group at University Methodist Church. She graduated from Tulsa Central High School in 1951 and later attended the University of Tulsa and the University of Oklahoma. There she earned an Associate's Degree in Business. Lou pledged Kappa Kappa Gamma her freshman year at TU and participated in the Kappa chapter at OU.

After attending the University of Oklahoma, Lou and Frank spent the next several years in San Antonio where Frank served in the Army. In 1956, they returned to Tulsa. They joined Will Rogers United Methodist Church then, and were members for 61 years. Lou and Frank worked with the church youth group. Lou organized the pre-school and children's church programs. She was active in the Women's group and in her Sunday school class and Bible study groups.

Lou was employed as a secretary at Pure Oil Company in Tulsa. Later, she stayed at home while her children were young. She worked for her father's real estate development and water companies for many years. In 1983, Lou obtained her real estate license, and was an agent at Coldwell Banker-Rader Group until her retirement.

Lou enjoyed painting, sewing, tennis, swimming, sailing at the lake, playing bridge, and spending time with her grandchildren. She also enjoyed road trips and entertaining her family and friends. Lou volunteered as a Cub Scout den mother, a Girl Scout troop leader, soccer coach, and a cheerleader sponsor for her children's activities.

Lou was preceded in death by her husband Franklin D. Nelson; her parents, Price Benton and Ada Louise DeWees; her brother Bruce Volney DeWees; and grandson Kenneth Price Culver.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 18, 2017 at Will Rogers United Methodist Church in Tulsa. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to her church or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233 share memories at www.moorefuneral.com