Heaven gained an angel on December 2, 2015 as Grace Ann Nelson passed away at her home surrounded by her loving family and her sweet feline children.

Grace Ann was born on August 3, 1929 in West End, North Carolina, the daughter of Miriam Anna Davies and Donald Douglas Eifort. Miriam Davies raised all of her daughters to be independent and to seek education. Grace Ann graduated with an Education Degree from Lees McRae College in Banner Elk, North Carolina. There she met the love of her life, Wallace Reed Nelson (Wally, Foot); they married on December 20, 1950. Wally & Grace loved one another and spent 65 years devoted to their children and family.

She later went on to earn her Associates Degree in Nursing from Cumberland County College in 1983 at the age of 54. For years, she worked as an RN at Bridgeton Hospital caring for patients and their families.

Grace was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, as well as a Deacon and an Elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Vineland. She helped in the Soup Kitchen and organized the Clothes Closet for those in need. During her retirement, she and Wally enjoyed travelling together and spent relaxing time in Oriental, North Carolina at their home away from home. She was also a member of the Pamlico Presbyterian Church.

She was a lovely woman with a kind heart and beautiful smile. Her heart led her to contribute graciously to several non-profit organizations helping children and animals. She continued her family tradition of making chocolate candies around the holidays teaching her children and grandchildren her little secrets. Behind their home in Vineland, she found a muscadine grapevine, which led her to making delicious sweets and treats.

Grace is survived by daughter, Rebecca Grace Nelson of St. Louis, MO; Reed Wallace Nelson and his wife, Jerrilyn, of Vineland, NJ; Melissa Ann Bender, and her husband John of Vineland; MaryBeth Grotti and her husband Marc of Milmay, NJ; Amanda Jo Morgan and her husband Bert of Vineland. She is also survived by her 13 grandchildren whom she loved dearly, Madeline Moore; Lucas, Ashton and Jessica Nelson; Sarah Bender Hope, Melissa Siegel, Natalie and Michael Bender; Mitchell, Marco, and Morgan Grotti; Cody and Colbi Morgan. She also had 8 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Surviving too is her sister Lois Eifort Blue of High Point, NC.

Grace is preceded in death by her sisters, Ruth Eifort Harris and Nancy Alice Lewis and her brother Joseph Douglas Eifort.

In leui of flowers, the family requests donations in her memory to the Cumberland County SPCA, 1244 Delsea Drive, Vineland, NJ 08360 or the First Presbyterian Church, 800 E Landis Avenue, Vineland, NJ 08361.
A viewing will be held Saturday, December 5th from 11am-1pm with a service immediately following at First Presbyterian Church, Eighth St. and Landis Ave., Vineland, NJ. An inurnment service will also be held in West End, NC at the family's gravesite at a later date.

Funeral arrangements are in the care of Wainwright-Bernhardt Funeral Home, Vineland, NJ. Please visit www.wbfuneralhome.com to send condolences to the family.