NELSON, Debra Ann (Dodie)

Debra Ann "Dodie" Nelson, 48, of Coolidge, died April 2, 2002, in Casa Grande. Visitation Saturday at New Hope Community Church of God in Christ, in Coolidge. The funeral there followed at 11, with Pastor Harvey Young officiating. Burial was in Valley Memorial Park. Ms. Nelson was born Nov. 9, 1953 in Alvarado, Texas. She was a corrections officer at Corrections Corporation of America's Central Arizona Detention Center. She was an outgoing person who enjoyed helping people and taking them places. She liked going to yard sales, making people laugh and spending time in church activities. Survivors include four daughters, Cassandra Mathis, Karri, Kelli and Kendra Reece, all of Coolidge; four sons, Jacob, Jason, Virgil and Lloyd Mathis Jr., all of Coolidge; her parents, Lloyd "Pete" Nelson Sr. of Whitney, Texas, and Morline Cooper of Coolidge; seven sisters, Barbaranne Johnson of Casa Grande, Sandra "Tomi" Cooper of Coolidge, Jenna Jones, Carrie Jordan and Zara Mack, all of Phoenix, Pennie and Tracy Nelson of Whitney; eight brothers, Frank and Herman Cooper of Coolidge, Marc Cooper of Phoenix, Mike Cooper of Casa Grande, Victor Cooper of Phoenix, Eddie Ray Nelson of Austin, Texas, Lloyd Nelson Jr. of Phoenix and Petey Nelson of West Palm Beach, Fla.; and 12 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a brother, Jessie Nelson. Memorial contributions may be made to: American Cancer Society, 2929 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix 85016. Webbers Eastlake Mortuary of Phoenix was in charge of arrangements. Casa Grande Dispatch Wednesday, April 10, 2002