Voltie Vivian (Jackson) Nelson

Celebrating A Life Well Lived

Sunrise for Voltie was February 19, 1922. She was the only child born to Isaiah (Buddy) and Adele Jackson, and was raised in Old Quindaro, Kansas. After attending Western University, she graduated Sumner High School, in 1939, and the University of Kansas, in 1943, then began her teaching career at Dunbar Elementary, Kansas City, Kansas. Due to the Kansas law at the time that required female teachers to be unmarried, Voltie chose to continue her teaching career in Kansas City, Missouri. She taught at Yates School for many years; at the time of her retirement she was teaching at Garfield School. 

In 1946, she married Lloyd Walter Fortune. To that union two daughters were born—Cynthia and Cecelia. In 1962, Voltie married again, to William (Billy) Nelson. Both Cecelia and Billy preceded her in death. 

Voltie was a life-long member of Historic Allen Chapel AME Church, Quindaro, Kansas.  She was deeply involved in the Mu Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority and is the chapter’s first Diamond Soror. She belonged to the Western University Memory Club, The Oak Grove Neighborhood Association History Committee, and the Geace Social Club. She enjoyed playing bridge and was a member of the Royal Trumps Bridge Club, and the Talleyettes. She thoroughly enjoyed entertaining, and for many years the only place to ring in the New Year was at the Nelson’s. She liked to travel, and even in her 80’s travelled to Europe with several of her best friends. She was also an avid shoe shopper!  

She was intensely loyal, kind, compassionate and was respected by everyone whose life she touched. Sunset for Voltie came November 24, 2018, when the Master called her home. She is survived by her daughter, Cynthia Lacy; step-daughter, Carol Coleman; grandchildren Shannon Williams (James); Danielle Butler (Jermaine); Christen Lacy; Delbert (Monique) Rhynes; Damon (Ingrid) Rhynes; Jerome (Wykita) Toombs; and Charles Lacy; and 16 great-children. 

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