Promoted to Glory: Major Lee Ann Nelson

Major Lee Ann Nelson was Promoted to Glory on July 27, 2023 at the age of 65.

Lee Ann Oxendine was born on October 17, 1957 in Portsmouth, VA, to Oscar & Ann Oxendine. She was the oldest of seven children.

Her family moved often during her childhood, due to her father's military career, until his retirement in 1974, at which time they settled in Lawton, OK. It was in the Lawton Corps that Lee Ann met The Salvation Army through the Girl Guard program.

At Guard Camp one summer her cabin counselor led her to accept Christ as her personal Savior. During that Sunday's worship service, Lee Ann decided she wanted to learn all she could about Jesus.

She became very involved with the corps and was active in all activities there. During a subsequent Youth Councils, she responded to the Call to Officership. At first, her plan was to go to college because she wanted to give the Lord and The Salvation Army her best. Therefore, she notified her divisional staff of her plan to go to training after college.

But soon after, with much prayer, the Lord revealed to her that it was time, now. She stated that God gave her officers who cared enough for her to bring her into their home, showing and teaching her what officership includes.

Lee Ann entered the Evangeline Booth College in September 1977 as a member of the Joyful Evangelists session of cadets. She was commissioned on June 3, 1979, serving as a single officer in Fort Smith, OK; North Little Rock, AR; Enid, OK; Springdale, AR; Hagerstown, MD; and, Athens, GA.

On July 18, 1986, she married the love of her life, Ken Nelson, and together they served in Lawrenceville, Griffin, Waycross, and Albany—all in the Georgia Division. From there, they were appointed to the Texas Division, at Galveston, Houston, Houston Harbor Light, and Greenville. Their last active appointment was in Alexandria, LA, and from there they entered honored retirement on July 1, 2017.

Out of all their appointments, Griffin was the most significant, as all three of their children were born there.

Major Lee Ann faithfully served as a Salvation Army officer for over 38 years and continued to serve in retirement at the Lakeland Corps in Florida.

Major Lee Ann Nelson is survived by her husband of 37 years, Major Ken Nelson, and by her three children: Kenneth (Julie) Nelson, Kerrie (Antonio) Baiz, and Kyle Nelson. She also leaves two grandchildren.

—Major Frank Duracher