Mrs. Rebecca Louise Nelson

Rebecca Louise Nelson was born December 28,1934 in New York City, New York. She was the third of seven children born to the late William Hammond and Viola Green Cohen.

Rebecca went to the public schools of New York and graduated from the New York City Public High School of Fashion Industries. Shortly afterwards, she married the first love of her life, the late Joseph Marvin Jenkins, Sr. with whom she had her five beautiful children. Later, she again wed and became the loving wife of the late Lewis H Nelson.

While living and working in New York City, Rebecca gained many skills that would serve her well throughout life. As well as working in her mother's restaurant, she became a fine seamstress, making many of her families clothes. This skill served her well when the family later moved to Texas.

As a young lady, seeds of Bible truth were planted while listening in on her mother's Bible study. As a young woman, those seeds took root and blossomed through her own study of Bible with Jehovah's witnesses. She was baptized June 23, 1962 at Yankee Stadium.

She truly appreciated and enjoyed all of the love, warmth, and hospitality of the Gowanus congregation, and she endeavored to share that same deep love in every congregation she became a part of thereafter.

Rebecca was well known for her love of hats, but also for the hugs she loved to give. She became known as "sister huggie". And if by chance she forgot she'd already given you one, you were due for another.

Rebecca was caring, diligent, giving, hardworking, faithful and loyal to her family and friends. Jehovah will remember her because of all these qualities and because of her love.

Rebecca is survived by: two brothers, William "Al" (Josephine) Cohen and Lawrence Jeffrie Cohen, both of Savannah, GA; a special relative, Carlotta Cohen of Fayetteville, NC; a special friend, Ruth Budden of Sumter, SC; a special son, Bobby Ludd of Sumter, SC, a special daughter, Isabel Lassiter of Sumter, SC; five children; Joseph Marvin Jenkins, Jr. of Lorton, VA; Shantalena Stewart of Palmetto, FL; Norman Jenkins of Seattle, WA; Lucille Yvette (Nathaniel) Kerr of Anderson, SC; Duke (Kathy) Jenkins of Bradenton, FL; one step son, Gary Elliot (Debby) Nelson, of Olive Branch, MS; eight grandchildren: Nathaniel II, Nicholas, Amberee, Benjamin, Kyle, Sean, Zachary, Sasha; and a host of nieces and nephews, other family, and friend

A Celebration of Rebecca's life will be held on Saturday, December 8, 2018, starting at 11:00am at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witness, 100 Lynam Road, Sumter, SC 29154.