Nellie Fisher

IN CELEBRATION OF THE LIFE OF NELLIE GLASSIE SHUPTRINE IVEY FISHER JUNE 28, 1914 - SEPTEMBER 5, 2006 Nellie G. Glassie was born June 28, 1914 in Jonesboro, Texas to John Earl (Jack) and Clara Reynolds Glassie. Nellie lived in Jonesboro until the age of 3, when her family moved to Denison. Her family moved often as her father work in the oilfields and she attended 13 schools before she graduated. Despite changing schools often, Nellie was a good student. She loved to read, graduating at the top of her class and even earning scholarships to college. It was often said of Nellie that there wasn't a word she could not spell or a math problem she could not tackle. Even her grandchildren would call her for help on their English papers. She was never hesitant to express her opinion and frequently wrote to her congressmen and city officials (even Barbara Bush), always expecting a response from each. She also wrote to manufacturers, newspapers and magazines voicing her opinion. While attending Draughan's Business School in San Antonio, Nellie married her high school sweetheart, Ernest Shuptrine. They were married in February, 1934. They were blessed with two children, Ernest Jr. and Rebecca, before they divorced. After her divorce, Nellie returned to Draughan's to complete her certification. While there, a friend introduced her to Burtram Ivey, who was in the army and stationed at Fort Sam Houston. Nellie and Burtram married in September, 1941 and were married 28 years before he passed away in 1969. They were also blessed with two children, Patricia and Susan. Burtram was sent overseas several times on tours of duty, and meanwhile Nellie worked to help support her four children. She worked at Fort Hood altering and repairing uniforms, and then went to work for Singer Sewing Machine Company making alterations. She took and passed a Civil Service test to return to work at Fort Hood, where she worked as a clerk in the maintenance department and then later in the finance department. She retired after 23 years, and in 1978 married retired Methodist minister Rev. William S. Fisher. Together they enjoyed traveling, fishing and spending time at their lake house in Mexia. Bill and Nellie were married for 13 before he passed away in 1990. One of Nellie's supreme talents was cooking. She spent many long hours in a hot, un-air-conditioned kitchen preparing wonderful food, pies and bread, often creating her own recipes on the spot. Sunday lunches were often filled with visitors and we never knew who to expect at the table. Throughout her life, Nellie was involved in numerous organizations including the following: United Methodist Women; Business & Professional Women; American Association of Retired Persons; National Association of Retired Federal Employees; American Legion Auxiliary Post #55-Belton, Charter Member; Fort Hood Toastmistress Club; Cross Roads Quilters Guild-Killeen, Charter Member; Cleburne Area Quilters Guild-Charter Member; and the Senior Citizens Group of Belton. After moving to the Trinity Care Retirement Center in Bridgeport, Nellie became active there and served as Secretary of the Resident's Council. Nellie became a quilter later in life. She made over 100 quilt tops and quilted many of them by hand. At age 92 with sight in one eye and numerous health problems, she still loved to quilt and was working on a new baby quilt for her 17th great-grandchild when she fell and broke her left wrist. Her biggest concern was how soon she could get back to her quilting. Her great-granddaughter Meagan Kea reminded her once that she sure kept a lot of people warm. Most of us thought she was talking about her home being too warm, but then Meagan said, "You have made so many quilts for everyone that you keep them warm". You will always keep us warm with your quilts and you will always be in our hears. The quilts are all special and we will keep them in our homes to remind us of you. They are "Original Nellies". Survivors include daughters, Rebecca Culpepper and husband, Evan of Decatur, Texas; Patricia Moore of Belton, Texas; Susan Peters and husband, Charles of League City, Texas; son, Ernest Ivey and wife, Joan of Surprise, Arizona; step-daughter, Bliss Fisher Dodd of Hurst, Texas; step-son, William Stanley Fisher and wife, Ella of Los Gatos, California; 13 grandchildren and 16 (almost 17) great-grandchildren.

Nellie Fisher

June 28, 1914 - September 5, 2006