Helen Elizabeth Nelson, 85 of Colton's Point, MD and formerly of Chaptico, MD died August 22, 2009 at St. Mary's Hospital. Born May 27, 1924, in Chaptico, MD she was the daughter of the James H. and Alice E. Thompson Knott.

She was the loving wife of the late Harry Ignatius Nelson, Sr. whom she married on February 28, 1943 in St. Joseph's Church.

She is survived by her children; Alice E. Wood of Colton's Point, MD, Harry I. Nelson, Jr. of Chaptico, MD, Kitty Hammett of Avenue, MD and Ronnie Knott of Clements, MD, her sister Celie Wheeler of Chaptico, MD as well as seven grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her siblings: Elmer Knott, Jr. Knott, Ruth Schuhart, Louise Wheeler, Leonard "Ned" Knott and Diane Knott.

A lifelong resident of St. Mary's County, Helen graduated from Margaret Brent High School "Class of 1942". She was a nurse's aide at St. Mary's Hospital for 40 years, retiring on January 30, 1991. She loved to go to softball games, fishing, crabbing and gardening.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 from 5:00 -8:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD where prayers will be said at 7:00 PM by Deacon Joe Lloyd. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, August 26, 2009 at 10:00 AM in Holy Angels Catholic Church, Avenue, MD with Fr. William Gurnee officiating. Interment will follow in Charles Memorial Gardens, Leonardtown, MD. Pallbearers will be Johnny Hammett, Kenny Hammett, Bruce Knott, John John Hammett III, John Hammett, Sr. and Ted Downs.

Contributions may be made to 7th District Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 6, Avenue, MD 20609 and/or 7th District Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 7, Avenue, MD 20609.

Arrangements provided by Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home.