JoAnn Faldetta Nelson

On April 8, 1972, JoAnn married Art Nelson from McComb, MS. In 1975, Art added the suffix Sr. to his name with the birth of their first child, Art Nelson, Jr. By 1978, they settled in McComb, and welcomed their daughter, Amy Elizabeth Nelson. JoAnn worked for Lit, Jim, and Duke Carlise before she and Art began working at a local travel agency, which they later bought. JoAnn loved the travel industry and measured her business success, not in dollars, but by how happy clients were upon their return. That same sense of caring for community is the reason her business was successful for nearly four decades. Jo Ann could answer any question about a destination, would give honest opinions and suggestions and truly loved sharing her passion for travel with others.

JoAnn was very active in the community, she loved people, she loved cooking for her friends and family, and she loved singing for her church. No one ever left Jo Ann’s table hungry or without the offer of a “plate” to take home. Jo Ann was a member of JJ White and active in the choir from the time she moved to McComb until she joined New Covenant Presbyterian Church where she continued her worship and where she was considered the backbone of the alto section in the church choir-despite claims made by some that may say otherwise. Jo Ann has been described as jovial and never without a smile. Both are true, unless you mention the time someone (i.e. her son) lit a string of firecrackers in a metal garbage can resulting in a visit by the police.

Because of her warm and welcoming personality, no one remained a stranger for long, always managed to stayed in touch with friends and family and had a knack for calling at just the right time. Jo Ann was always able to lift someone’s spirits with her gift of conversation and her ability to see the good in people. She was a dedicated friend who maintained lifelong, unwavering, relationships with her family and friends near and far. She adored her husband and her children, all of which took a back seat once her granddaughter Eleanor Pipe was born. You can’t think about Jo Ann without immediately associating her with Christmas. The ever present twinkle in her eyes grew brighter the day after Thanksgiving when she officially kicked off the Christmas season by pulling out her sizeable collection of Christmas sweaters and jewelry and putting up her beautifully decorated tree.

JoAnn is survived by her husband, Art Nelson, Sr., her son Art (Bob) Nelson, Jr., her daughter Amy Nelson Pipe and her son-in-law, James Pipe and their daughter, the light of Jo Ann’s life, Eleanor. On Art Sr.’s side , she leaves behind Tommy and Jane Walman and their daughter Katie Cordell, and her family, Ken, Lydia and their daughter Allison Nelson, Michael, Memrie and Taylor MacDonald and their families and Dallas and Rick Dickerson and their families. On JoAnn’s side of the family, she leaves behind her brother, Sal Faldetta and his wife Elvie. Their two children Mark and Tracy and their respective families. She also leaves behind 21 first cousins and their families the Vuteras, Pellichinos , Faldettas, and Macalusos. All of whom she loved unconditionally.