Latoya Shuntae Thompson Nelson

July 5, 1979 – June 20, 2017

Services

Thursday, June 22, 2017
Family Visitation: 4:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M.
Cummins Street Church of Christ
511 Cummins Street, Franklin, TN

Friday, June 23, 2017
Lie In State: 9:00 A.M.
Family Visitation: 10:00 A.M.
Funeral Service: 12:00 Noon

Green Meadow Church of Christ
348 Squire Hall Road
Shelbyville, Tennessee

Interment
Lovvorn Cemetery
Barfield, Tennessee

Brother Ralph Thompson and Sister Machelle were blessed on July 5, 1979 with the birth of their daughter, Sister Latoya Shuntae Thompson Nelson. She was the source of immeasurable joy for her parents. LaToya was preceded in death by maternal grandmother, Delores Moore Fleming and uncle, Vincent Fleming. She was baptized at the age of twelve years old, making God an integral part of her life. LaToya loved church and was a devoted member of the Green Meadow Church of Christ. She taught 3rd – 5th Grade Sunday School Class and served on the Education and Hospitality Committees.

LaToya was a creative decorator and loved baking an array of tasty desserts. She put her heart and soul into everything that she did, with a level of class, sophistication, and excellence. You could always depend on her to use her talents decorating the church for various occasions. Name the event and LaToya could create a gorgeous memorable theme. Her brownies were one of her favorite dishes.

LaToya was a trailblazer as a member of the first graduating class of Centennial High School. Her versatility and talent allowed her to be a batonist and Tennessee Twirler. She played the Clarinet, and was a member of the Freshman Basketball Team, being a star 3-point shooter.

LaToya loved children and was passionate about making a difference in their lives. This zeal led her to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Tennessee State University. She then launched her career as a licensed clinical social worker with the YWCA Domestic Violence Center. LaToya’s career continued as a Social Worker for the Department of Children Protective Services, Foster Care, and The Child Advocacy Center.

With a passion for learning and achieving, LaToya returned to school and received her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Cumberland University.

Still wanting to make an even greater impact in the lives of children and their well-being, she decided to make a career change and received a second Master’s Degree in Education from Middle Tennessee State University. LaToya became a Certified Teacher and worked at Blackman Elementary School teaching 5th Grade Math and Science. As an educator she would take a hand, open a mind and touch a heart. She expanded her talents beyond the classroom as a member of the National Teacher’s Association.

LaToya loved being engaged and being involved. She was a phenomenal woman with a strong spirit, a great depth of resilience, a compassionate spirit, and a very kind heart. She was an active and dedicated member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, Rutherford County Alumnae Chapter. She loved her sorority sisters and considered them a part of her family.

LaToya was united in holy matrimony to William Junior Nelson. God blessed this union with three children, Nadia, Javon Edward and Kennedi Machelle and grandson, Kendall. They were the love of her life and the sparkles in her eyes.

LaToya will be greatly missed. The love that she shared and her wonderful memories will live on in the hearts and minds of her husband, children, grandson, parents Ralph and Machelle Thompson, brother Quinton (Brittany) Thompson, grandparents, Joseph and JoAnn Blair and Johnny Fleming; aunts, Eleanor (Chester) Blair, Angela Shelton, Patrice (Brice) Cheatham, Patricia Blair; uncles, Robert Blair, Michael Fleming, Jeffery Blair; parents-in-law, William and Marie Nelson; sisters-in-law, Felicia Nelson, Alecia (Jim) Dixon; nieces, Shacobia, Amiyah, Kya, Nariah; nephews, Maurice, Markuis; devoted cousins, Rosalind, Yvonne, Tameka, Judith, Shirley and Cassandra; God mother, Iris Prince; God brother, LeTivias Demond Prince; play brothers, Chris Fleming and Joseph Sanders; play sister, Kenya Miles; devoted friends, The Green Meadow Church of Christ Family, Mrs. Cynthia Ford and Blackman Elementary School – 5th Grade Team, Stacy Murdic, Alysa Davis, Kristy Gregory, Christina Moody and Ninetka Franklin, and a host of other devoted relatives and friends.

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” Psalm 116:15