Col. Joy S. Nelson

[ironputts]

March 5, 2023

Col. Joy S. Nelson
Las Cruces Composite Squadron
New Mexico Wing

Joy Sondra Nelson, age 89, of Las Cruces, NM, passed away peacefully at North Star Ranch in Bonham, TX on Wednesday, February 8, 2023.  Joy was born on December 21, 1933 in Colton, CA to G.B. Summers & Margaret Davidson Summers.  She was a High School graduate and attended college.  She was a Colonel in the Civil Air Patrol defense Dept.  She married Leslie Marion "Tim" Nelson, JR, who preceded her in death.  She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Joy was a retired Colonel and Wing Commander of New York State Civil Air Patrol, a strategic partner of the United States Air Force.  She was the recipient of several leadership awards including the Distinguished Service Medal by the Civil Air Patrol. She was also a member of the National Association for Female Executives.

A remarkable woman much beloved by so many who were blessed to be a part of her life.  A generous and loving mother and sister with a great sense of humor.  She had several hobbies, she loved to cook delicious meals for her family and friends.  Also loved to travel – avid RVer and easily made friends wherever she traveled.  Joy loved cats (an ailurophile).

Left to cherish her memory is her son; Michael Nelson of Las Cruces, NM and her brother; Richard Lee Summers of Bonham, TX, other extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; G.B. & Margaret Davidson Summers, her husband; Leslie Marion "Tim" Neilson JR and her oldest son; Leslie Marion "Skip" Nelson III.