Doris Lea Nelson, daughter of the late Berninard Killian and Marjorie Fellows Cox, was born on November 22, 1942, in Dexter, Missouri, and departed this life on January 8, 2024, at Jackson Manor in Jackson, Missouri, at the age of 81 years.

Mrs. Nelson was a former licensed practical nurse, and she was a resident of Dexter, Missouri.

She was united in marriage to William Nelson. Mr. Nelson preceded her in death on June 18, 2013.

She is survived by her daughter, Darla Young (Eric) of Hamilton Ontario Canda; by her sister, Cathy Starnes (Gary) of Dexter, Missouri; by her step-brother, Floyd Cox Jr.; by her step-children, JoAnn Lloyd, Susan Jarrell, and Danny Nelson (Donna); by her grandchildren, Jennifer McGarrah (Cecil), Justin Christman (Lynne), Whitney Payne (Tyler), Jerimy Obergoenner (Lucia), Jill Watkins (David), Shawn Lloyd, Michael Lloyd, LaDawn Crowe, Christal Thomas (Matthew), Robert Christian, and Don Christian (Freda Mae); by her great grandchildren, Dayla McGarrah, Raelyn McGarrah, Georgia Christman, Logan Christman, Tucker Payne, Gavin Thomas, Abbie Lloyd, Ethan Christian, Emily Christian, Taylor Christian, Zoey Christian, Emmie Christian, Payton Christian, and Nate Prince; and by her nieces, Ashley Starnes, Amber Starnes, and April Wamble (Brent).

Other than by her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Dwane Allan Owens; by two daughters, Velva Foyle and Marietta Obergoenner; by six brothers, Thomas Killian, Dean Killian, Randall Killian, Morris Cox, Leslie Cox, and B.J. Cox; and by her sister, Elfreda Cox.

Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 am. Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow in the Dexter Cemetery.

Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.