Jennifer Hancel Edna Nelson
Jennifer Hancel Edna Nelson, 77, of Plano, died Monday, July 14, 2025. She was born in Beaumont on November 7, 1947, to Edna Alice Keith Nelson and Louis Viers Nelson.
Jennifer graduated Beaumont High School and received a BA degree in Fine Arts from Lamar University. She taught art at middle schools in Kountze and Spring.
Jennifer was an avid artist and naturally very talented like her mother. She produced large numbers of original work, paintings, drawings, lithographs and calligraphy. She worked in multiple media including acrylic, oils, pastels and pen & ink. She also loved photography and produced many photographs including of family, adventures at the beach, at the Village Creek family camp, and her interactions with friends and relations. She also experimented with artistic manipulations with the camera.
Jennifer loved the beach and to beachcomb for shells and sea beans. She also loved the family camp and to sunbathe on the creek sandbars and look for baby turtles in the sand.
Survivors include her siblings, Louis Keith Nelson, Gretchen June Nelson, Michael John Keith Nelson, Erik Louis Nelson, and Jessica Margaret Nelson; her nephews and nieces, Rodney Puryear, Steven Puryear, Christa Cooper, Sonny Cooper, Emily Nelson, Evan Nelson, and Elise Nelson.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Edna and Louis Nelson; and sister, Rebecca Alice Puryear.
Jennifer was a playful soul. She is missed by us all.
Ms. Nelson’s funeral service will be 1:00 p.m., Thursday, July 31, 2025, at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont, with her interment to follow at Magnolia Cemetery, Beaumont.
Video
Funeral Service
Broussard’s Mortuary McFaddin Ave.
- 2000, Mcfaddin Avenue, Beaumont, Texas, 77701,
- July 31, 2025
- 1:00 pm
Interment
Magnolia Cemetery
- 2291, Pine St, Beaumont, TX, 77703,
- July 31, 2025
I am so surprised and saddened to hear of the passing of my college sorority sister and roommate and friend. What happy and fun times we shared during our college adventures at Lamar Tech and the University of Texas at Austin, and in summer school in Honolulu at the University of Hawaii. I have so many fond memories of the Beetle bug. My heartfelt sympathy to her family and friends.
I remember Jennifer as the pretty girl at Beaumont High I wanted to go out with. I remembered meeting her in the hallway between classes and thought how fortunate I was. She talked with me and then went out with me, which I thought a miracle. As she was always looking for humor in things and, as I was somewhat of a clown, we got along well. Jennifer had a fine intellect she inherited from her intelligent and talented parents, Alice and Louis Nelson. Of course, all of her siblings were lucky enough to have inherited the same gifts their parents had and the household was never a dull place that she made me welcome in.Jennifer was also a talented artist who didn’t have to look far in her imagination for opportunities to exercise her considerable artistic abilities which knew no bounds and garnered her accolades from all who were lucky enough to see and experience them. Her presence in my life will always be remembered with fondness and admiration for the many facets of her personality which she displayed so brightly.All artists got to heaven, and you will be missed.
Jennifer and I lived together when she was working at the White House as a window dresser after receiving her art degree, and I was a sophomore at Lamar U. There were five of us living in the house near Lamar, and she was the maestro of all activities. This was one of the best times of my life. I miss Jennifer, Caroline, Arthur, and Bobby. She was a talented artist and lover of animals (who were the subjects in many of her etchings). I loved going to the Nelson home and hanging out with Louis, Mama Bear, and Gertie. Jennifer and Gretchen had dated my brother, Herman. Condolences to all the family.
I am so sorry to hear of your family’s loss of Jennifer. As a childhood friend of Jessica’s, I remember Jennifer’s bright personality and sweet nature. I have many wonderful memories of being in the Nelson home and I am saddened by the passing of Jennifer. May God hold you close in this time of grief.
Sincerely, Donna Crabbe Swain