Annie Ruth (White) Nelson

Ms. Annie Ruth White Nelson, age 89 of Sanford, NC transitioned into eternal rest on Wednesday, November 23, 2022 at her residence in Sanford, NC.

The Obituary

Annie Ruth White Nelson was born December 18, 1932, in Wake County, NC. She gained her wings on the day of November 23, 2022, at her home surrounded by her loved ones.

Annie was a loving mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, and friend. She had a heart made of gold. She was a Domestic Household Worker until she began working at Federal Spinning.

Annie was a member of Chestnut AME Zion church until her health started to fail. Ms. Annie Ruth, as everyone would call her, would give you the shirt off her back. She never met a stranger.

Annie Ruth was married to the late Charles McDougald and to that union were born eight children. Annie was an amazing and devoted mother and grandmother to all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, particularly so to the four special grandchildren whom she reared: Monica Debrow, Tomeka McDougald, Lashonda McDougald, and Maurice McDougald.

Annie or “Mama” as she was affectionately known, was preceded in death by her husband George Tull Nelson; her daughter, Angela Marie McDougald; and her son Martin Nate McDougald; her parents Lawrence and Laura White; her sisters, Elizabeth Chalmers, Elsie Thornton, and Margret Davis; and her brothers Charlie White and Lawrence White.

She leaves to cherish her loving memories, her children, Shirley Debrow, Ruth Bland (Gene), Edward McDougald, Zane McDougald, Ray McDougald (Roe), and Crystal McBryde; twenty-five grandchildren, a host of great and great-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Mary McKoy, and Jacqueline Murchison (Pastor Larry); one uncle, Jason Upchurch; one aunt, Lillie Upchurch; a devoted best friend, Annie McIver, and a host of nieces and nephews and other relatives.

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