Michelle Erin Nelson

Michelle Erin Nelson, 43, of Lumberton, died unexpectedly Saturday, June 18, 2022, at Baptist Hospital in Beaumont, Texas. She was born on February 15, 1979, in Deridder, Louisiana.  She was the first child of Flora Stump Lutz and Michael Lutz.

Over the years Michelle was never known to back down from a challenge and it almost seemed like she looked for them. She was involved in Hardin County 4-H from a young age where she participated in many events and here recently, she has mentored many kids in doing the same. Growing up, Michelle had a passion for serving others and that never changed. She was always looking for a way to help a neighbor or someone she may have never met before.

Michelle graduated from Lumberton High School class of 1997. Her friends will remember her from the family snow cone stand business that she grew up working at. Some will also remember her love for anything Disney related, the color purple, horses, Mardi Gras, crawfish boils, and canasta card games.

In 2010 Michelle met her soulmate, Jackie Nelson and created a beautiful and loving family. For the past five years she had found her calling and what began as a homeroom mom to becoming an employee at the Early Childhood campus in Lumberton, Texas. If you had a child that attended the campus in the last few years, you know her even if you never met her. If they were excited to see Pete the Cat, the Grinch, the Cat in the Hat, or crazy dinosaurs, that was Michelle. If your child got to pet a horse during Western day, hold a chic during Pow Wow, love a bunny during Easter or have fun getting wet during water day, that was Michelle. The Holiday Market, pictures, and PTO, that was Michelle. She touched every kid on that campus. She didn’t want credit she just wanted it to be perfect and memorable. She was selfless, hardworking, creative, and funny.

She was also a wonderful mom to her four boys still at home. She leaves behind a legacy of helping others.

Survivors include her husband, Jackie Nelson; children, Jordan Nelson and his wife, Candice, of Vidor; Brooklynn Nelson of Mauriceville; Robert Collins, Lance, Chase, Colby, and Lane Nelson, all of Lumberton; three grandchildren; parents, Flora Lambert and her husband, Joe, of Decatur; Terrie Lutz of Houston; siblings, Michael Lutz and his fiancée, Melissa Thompson, of Prairieville, Louisiana; Byron Lutz and his spouse, Tracie Lutz; and Nick Pattillo and his spouse, Jamie Pattillo, all of Lumberton; six nieces; three nephews; and grandfather, Foriest Lutz.  Michelle is preceded in death by her father, Michael Lutz and grandmothers, Sharon Lutz and Mary Louise Stump.

A gathering of Michelle’s family and friends will begin at 1:00 p.m., with her memorial service at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, June 25, 2022, at Broussard’s, 490 Cemetery Road, Silsbee. Her committal was held at Broussard’s Crematorium.