In Loving
Memory

Mary Carr Nelson

September 6, 1935 – March 26, 2022

MARY NELSON, 86, of Mechanicsville, VA, formerly of Newington, VA, passed away on March 26, 2022.

She was born in Alexandria, Virginia to Frank and Dora Carr, the eighth of what was to be seven brothers and five sisters.  She married William Mitchell Nelson on May 11, 1956, in Fairfax County, Virginia.  Mary lived in the Newington area of Fairfax County until 2003, when she moved to Mechanicsville, next door to her granddaughter.  While living in Mechanicsville she became “Grandma” to the cul-de-sac.  She loved to teach others how to sew and crochet.

Mary was a 66-year member of the I.O.O.F. Rebekah Lodge and was a Past President of the Ladies Auxiliary Patriarchs Militant of Virginia.  She served as the Registrar for the I.O.O.F. Pilgrimage to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery for many years.

She is survived by her children Patricia Retter, Paul (Tammy) Nelson, and Sherry (Frank) Wheatley; her grandchildren Nathan Retter and Emma Nelson; brothers Richard Carr and Donald (Cheryl) Carr; and her sister Kitty (Andy) Parks.  She was preceded in death by her husband, William Mitchell Nelson; her grandson, Zachary Arnold; her parents Frank and Dora Carr; her siblings, Lewis Carr, Eugene Carr, LeRoy Carr, Grace Carr Nelson, James Carr, Raymond Carr, Helen Carr Sigler, Nancy Carr Lowman, and Constance Carr Stickley.

Friends may call from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 31, at the Affinity Funeral Service, 8074 Mechanicsville Turnpike, Mechanicsville, VA.  Funeral services will be held Friday, April 1, at 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home chapel.  Family will receive friends and family beginning at 1:00 p.m. prior to the funeral.  A Rebekah service will be held just prior to the service.  A graveside service will be performed at Mount Comfort Cemetery, 6600 S. Kings Hwy, Alexandria, VA, on Monday, April 4, at 1:30 p.m.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society (PO Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK, 73123, 1-800-227-2345, www.cancer.org).