Nelva Joyce Wilmoth, known as Nellie and Amma to her family and grandchildren, passed away on February 2nd, after a brief stay at Providence Hospital. Nellie was born in Lubbock, Texas in 1926. She spent her childhood and young adulthood in West Texas. She met and married her college sweetheart, George. Soon after graduating from Texas Tech, they began their early days together in Happy, Texas, where they farmed crops and raised cattle. In 1953, their oldest son, Mike, was born and they ventured to Alaska to join Nelva's parents and seek new opportunities. They settled in Anchorage where their son, Pat, and daughter, Kim, were born. In the early 60's, they moved for several years to Santa Barbara where Nellie truly loved the warm climate and year round growing season. They returned to Alaska in 1969, and a year later, built a home on Nelva's parents homestead. George and Nelva have resided in the home for the past 44 years. Nellie had a passion for gardening. She was born with a green thumb. She grew beautiful Dinner Plate Dahlias, Lilies, Gladiolas, and Peonies. Her yard was truly a masterpiece of art for many years. People would stop to take pictures of her flowers. Nelva was a member of the Flat Top Forget-Me-Not Homemakers Club. She loved to cook and bake. She enjoyed preparing gourmet meals and bringing her family and friends together. Over the years, many neighborhood children would frequent Nellies kitchen. She always kept a full cookie jar and lemonade or ice tea for her young friends. Summers were spent in Valdez, fishing for Silvers, and on the Kenai River, chasing the Reds. Nellie loved to travel and had many world adventures with her husband George. Amma adored her grandchildren and was very active in their lives. As she advanced in years, more time was given to storytelling, reading, and playing cards with them. Nellie is survived by her husband of 64 years, George Wilmoth; sons Mike and Pat Wilmoth; daughter Kim Lane and her husband Jim; and her three grandchildren, Jordan, Margo, and Conner Lane. Donations can be made to Friends of Pets, the American Cancer Society, or the Alaska Botanical Gardens. A celebration of her life will take place in the future.

Find A Grave contributor Joe David has made a suggestion to you regarding your Find A Grave memorial for Nelva Wilmoth.
Although the obit says she was born in Lubbock the original birth certificate and the one she and her mother did in 1978 to correct a misspelling of her first name says she was born in Idalou. Her brother was born in Lubbock.