Mozelle Nelson Joblin, 97, passed on September 22, 2014 at OCH Regional Medical Center in Starkville. Before her retirement, she was a business woman. She was the wife of Eugene I. (Gene) Nelson 43 years and Lathan Joblin for 17. She was born Leila Mozelle Pyron June 8, 1917 in Calhoun County to Thomas (Tom) Lee Pyron and Seleatha Estelle (Essie) Taylor who preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by brothers John Henry and Robert Roy Pyron; sister Ora Lee Pyron Barton; step-sister Blanch Simpson Baker, and step-brothers Carver, Emmett, and Burkett Simpson. She was also preceded in death by husbands Eugene Irwin Nelson and Lathan Joblin.
She is survived by her son, Thomas Eugene (Tom) Nelson, Baker, FL; daughters Janice (Jan) Nelson )Mickey) McReynolds, Starkville, and Joan Nelson (Thomas) Dominick, Leesville, SC; stepsons, Sidney Lathan (Harriett) Joblin (Harriett) of Oklahoma City, OK, Larry Gwyn (Ruby) Joblin, Columbus; stepdaughter, Carolyn Ann Joblin (Walter) Sistrunk, Starkville; 14 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. She graduated from Derma High School and Draughons Business College, Memphis, before working for several businesses in Memphis. After meeting and marrying Gene Nelson she moved with him to New Jersey and Oklahoma during WWII and then to Iowa where they farmed before returning to Mississippi to farm. Upon relocating to Starkville in 1952 Mozelle and Gene saw opportunity in the growing college town and began developing rental properties. They started small, purchasing and building several apartment buildings around town. Later they built larger projects including Cedar Cove Apartments. She was active in every part of the business, from the construction, bookkeeping and managing the staff to painting and cleaning. She was part owner of the shopping center now known as Cotton Crossing, where for many years she served as property manager. She also worked for the MSU Extension Service for 18 years. She was fond of gardening and crocheting. She was a member of First Baptist Church, including active participation in Naomi Sunday School Class as well as a mission trip to Ecuador. In the latter part of her life, she enjoyed traveling to places including Alaska and Europe with Gene and making road trips to every corner of the lower 48 states with Lathan to attend 2nd Marine Division Reunions. As her health declined she chose to move to assisted care. She lived in Columbus briefly and then moved to Montgomery Gardens in Starkville when it opened in 2006. She had a special love for her family. It was often expressed by keeping them well fed with Sunday dinners and holiday gatherings. After the death of her first husband Gene and marriage to Lathan Joblin, she greeted his family with open arms, treating them as her own. Her memorial service was Saturday at 2 p.m. at Welch’s Funeral Home in Starkville. Interment was in Memorial Garden Park in Starkville. Memorial donations may be made to the First Baptist Church building fund at 106 E Lampkin St., Starkville, MS 39759, or to the charity of choice.