Obituary for W. Nell DeGregory (Wallace)
W. Nell DeGregory died Saturday, September 25, 2021 at Schaffer's Senior Care Home in Battle Creek, Michigan.
She was born December 19, 1930, in Rock Hill, South Carolina to George Lamar and Carrie Wilma (Hill) Wallace. She had two sisters, Mary Wilkinson and Margaret Patrick and one brother, Luther Wallace. She also had one sister-in-law, Helen Hanley. They all preceded her in death. Nell graduated from Rutherfordton High School in Rutherfordton, North Carolina.
On September 19, 1953, she married Gilbert L. DeGregory of Battle Creek, Michigan, where they lived until his death in 2010. They had three children, Gilbert A. (April) DeGregory, Lisabeth A. (Terry) Miller, and Mandi (Jack) Zimmerman, who all live in Battle Creek, two grandchildren, Timothy D. (Lyndsey) Young of Mississippi, and Sarah J. (Blake) Goff of Kalamazoo, Michigan who survive her. Nell is survived by three great grandchildren, Colson Young, Jack Young and Timothy Arlo Young, all of Mississippi.
She is also survived by her nieces and nephews, Jan (Dennis) Rocco and Nancy (Jerry) Triece of Homer, Michigan, Ruth Wallace and Korrie Green of Spindale, North Carolina, Marty (June) Wallace of Florida, and Bill Hanley of California.
Nell was baptized on December 31, 1966 as one of Jehovah's Witnesses. She and her husband enjoyed telling others about God's kingdom and serving others in the Marshall, Michigan congregation and the Harper Creek congregation in Battle Creek. She worked for Dr. Starr in Marshall as a medical assistant until her marriage and also at the Kellogg Company for a short time after her marriage. Most of her time was devoted to caring for her husband and children and preaching.
Nell and Gil made many friends throughout the 54 years of their marriage, including best friends, Jack and Patricia McLenithan of Marquette, Michigan. Jack preceded Nell in death on September 23, 2020. Other close friends included Bill (deceased) and Dorothy Davids of Marshall, Michigan and Paul and Phyllis Smith of Battle Creek.
Nell was born and raised in North and South Carolina and Florida. She was a true southern belle who seldom if ever raised her voice. She endeavored to be kind to all those she met. She was known at Schaffer's as "the greeter". As soon as anyone came in, she would ask their name, who they were coming to see and make them feel welcome. The staff and other residents loved to hear Nell sing which she did right up to the morning before she died. She would sit at the dining table after breakfast and sing along with the music they played. Early in her life, she sang with Sweet Adelines along with her sister Mary. She tried to speak to everyone about the hope of God's kingdom.
She will be missed by all who knew her.
A memorial service will be announced at a later date.
Arrangements by the Baxter Funeral and Cremation Service. 269-788-9800. www.baxterfuneral.com
She was born December 19, 1930, in Rock Hill, South Carolina to George Lamar and Carrie Wilma (Hill) Wallace. She had two sisters, Mary Wilkinson and Margaret Patrick and one brother, Luther Wallace. She also had one sister-in-law, Helen Hanley. They all preceded her in death. Nell graduated from Rutherfordton High School in Rutherfordton, North Carolina.
On September 19, 1953, she married Gilbert L. DeGregory of Battle Creek, Michigan, where they lived until his death in 2010. They had three children, Gilbert A. (April) DeGregory, Lisabeth A. (Terry) Miller, and Mandi (Jack) Zimmerman, who all live in Battle Creek, two grandchildren, Timothy D. (Lyndsey) Young of Mississippi, and Sarah J. (Blake) Goff of Kalamazoo, Michigan who survive her. Nell is survived by three great grandchildren, Colson Young, Jack Young and Timothy Arlo Young, all of Mississippi.
She is also survived by her nieces and nephews, Jan (Dennis) Rocco and Nancy (Jerry) Triece of Homer, Michigan, Ruth Wallace and Korrie Green of Spindale, North Carolina, Marty (June) Wallace of Florida, and Bill Hanley of California.
Nell was baptized on December 31, 1966 as one of Jehovah's Witnesses. She and her husband enjoyed telling others about God's kingdom and serving others in the Marshall, Michigan congregation and the Harper Creek congregation in Battle Creek. She worked for Dr. Starr in Marshall as a medical assistant until her marriage and also at the Kellogg Company for a short time after her marriage. Most of her time was devoted to caring for her husband and children and preaching.
Nell and Gil made many friends throughout the 54 years of their marriage, including best friends, Jack and Patricia McLenithan of Marquette, Michigan. Jack preceded Nell in death on September 23, 2020. Other close friends included Bill (deceased) and Dorothy Davids of Marshall, Michigan and Paul and Phyllis Smith of Battle Creek.
Nell was born and raised in North and South Carolina and Florida. She was a true southern belle who seldom if ever raised her voice. She endeavored to be kind to all those she met. She was known at Schaffer's as "the greeter". As soon as anyone came in, she would ask their name, who they were coming to see and make them feel welcome. The staff and other residents loved to hear Nell sing which she did right up to the morning before she died. She would sit at the dining table after breakfast and sing along with the music they played. Early in her life, she sang with Sweet Adelines along with her sister Mary. She tried to speak to everyone about the hope of God's kingdom.
She will be missed by all who knew her.
A memorial service will be announced at a later date.
Arrangements by the Baxter Funeral and Cremation Service. 269-788-9800. www.baxterfuneral.com