Nellie Fox

Nellie Rae Callahan Fox, 91, passed away on January 7, 2021 at Cleveland Pines in Shelby, NC.

She is survived by two daughters, Lavonda Shires and husband Mike, and Peggy Browning and husband Bobby, both of Mooresboro, NC, a son, Philip Darrell Fox and wife Becky, of Mooresboro, NC, and seven grandchildren, April Shires, Daniel Shires and wife Katie, Lucas Shires and wife Meg, Alaina Browning, Brian Fox and wife Miranda, Derek Fox and wife Collette, and Kari F. Day and husband Josh, and seven great grandchildren, Dalton Fox, Thatcher Fox, Ruby Day, Elizabeth Vercio, Rebecca Kate Vercio, Colson Fox, and Lucas Daniel Shires, and two sisters, Betty C. Poteat of Lattimore, NC, and Barbara C. Cross of Piedmont, SC.

Born in Cleveland County on September 23, 1929, Nellie was the daughter of the late, Rolan Everett Callahan and Ada Skinner Callahan. She was also preceded in death by her loving husband, Horace A. Fox, and seven sisters, Beulah Callahan, Rhema Callahan, Helen C. Jolley, Ola C. Jolley, Margie C. Moore, Marian C. Jolley, Ruth C. Byars, and three brothers, J.D. Callahan, Howard Callahan, and Donnie Callahan.

Nellie retired from Celanese Corporation (Fiber Industries) in Earl, NC. She was Valedictorian of 1947 Mooresboro High School graduating class. Nellie was an accomplished high school basketball player and enjoyed a competitive basketball game with the grandchildren. She was a member through the years of Trinity Baptist Church, Gantts Grove Baptist Church, Race Path Baptist Church and most recently Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church. Nellie taught Sunday School, worked with youth groups, choir member, fill-in pianist, played on softball team and active in senior citizens groups. Mr. Fox organized an annual week long camping trip for church youth boys and she kept things running on the poultry farm during his absence. While serving as Director of Seniors at Race Path, she received state recognition for the church’s senior ministry and received the highest award at a banquet held at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville.

As a retiree she participated in the Cleveland County Senior games and won more than 80 mostly gold medals. Traveling with tour groups was a favorite past time while Mr. Fox was living. They spent many happy hours camping in the North Carolina and Tennessee mountains and made many, many friends throughout the years. She loved gardening, working in her yard and oil painting. She was an avid Duke basketball and Atlanta Braves baseball fan.

Sunday lunches were prepared with love for the family. She was especially proud that all her children and grandchildren are college graduates.

A graveside service will be held at Trinity Baptist Church Cemetery on Sunday, January 10th, 2021 at 2:00pm. Nellie will lie in state at Cleveland Funeral Services on Saturday, January 9th, 2021 from 12:00pm to 5:00pm for family and friends that wish to pay their respects. The family requests all those attending services to please observe social distancing standards and wear a mask.

Memorial Contributions can be made to Wendover Hospice House at 953 Wendover Heights Dr. Shelby, NC 28150.

To sign the guest book, please go to www.clevelandfuneralservices.com

A service of Cleveland Funeral Services & Crematory, Inc.