RUFFIN: Mrs. Reba Crosby Nelson, widow of the late Wardie R. Nelson, passed away peacefully Sunday afternoon, July 9, 2023 at the Methodist Oaks Residential Care Facility in Orangeburg. She was 97. Mrs. Nelson was born in Colleton County March 3, 1926 the youngest child of the late Willie H. Crosby and Blanche Griffin Crosby. Following her graduation from Ruffin High School in 1942, she proudly worked for three years in Charleston during World War II at the Port of Embarkation. For many years she was a well-known fixture at Edward’s Dime Store in Walterboro, and she was a member of Pine Grove Baptist Church, where she actively participated in Sunday School and the Missionary Group. Although she was very independent well into her nineties, she moved closer to her nephew Michael Crosby and his wife Myra almost eight years ago so that they could help with her care. They saw to her every need, and visited her regularly when she eventually became a resident of The Oaks in July of 2021. In addition to her parents and her husband, Mrs. Nelson was preceded in death by her siblings: Marshall, James, Woodrow and Holland Crosby, and Mary Crosby Polk. She is survived by a host of loving nephews, nieces and extended family. Graveside services will be held Wednesday morning, July 12, 2023 at 10:00 AM at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens in Walterboro. The family will receive friends immediately following the service. Parker-Rhoden Funeral Home, 117 Paul Street in Walterboro is in charge of arrangements.
