of Batesville, AR
January 18, 2022
Janet Nelson, 73, died early Monday.
She was a resident of Mountain Home beginning in the summer of 1970 when she joined the news staff of The Baxter Bulletin. Nelson was managing editor of the paper until 1984.
She worked in radio news and for other newspapers serving Yellville and Batesville before continuing her education in 1988 at the University of Central Arkansas.
She taught English and journalism for Saint Joe public schools and was frequently a substitute teacher for Mountain Home and adjoining school districts.
Nelson also was a copywriter and proofreader for Brooks-Jeffery Marketing in Mountain Home from 1995 to 2008. She held bachelors degrees from the University of Illinois Champagne-Urbana and UCA.
Nelson helped The Baxter Bulletin to first-place awards from the National Newspaper Association in categories of general excellence and tourism in 1978.
Nelson is survived by her husband Frank Wallis of Batesville; a sister, Sue Nelson Pate (Harold) of Orlando FL; a brother, Jim Nelson of Macomb, IL; nieces Jessica Rittenhouse (Dennis) of Chicago, Danelle Nelson of Orlando, Meg Nelson of Canton, IL; and, nephews Dane Nelson of Canton and Stevan Nelson of Orlando.
She was preceded in death by her mother Ruth Timmons Nelson and father James "Jim" Nelson both of Cuba, IL.
Graveside services will be at 1:00pm on January 21, 2021 at Oaklawn Cemetery in Batesville with Bob Wallis officiating. Visitation will be from 11:00am until 12:30pm prior to the service.
A memorial service will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Roller Funeral Home in Mountain Home with Ken Burton, minister of the Mountain Home Church of Christ officiating.
Nelson has been a resident in the Woodlawn Heights Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility in Batesville for five years. She has been a stroke survivor since 2007.
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3 Condolence(s)
Carol Foster
Monday, January 24, 2022
I also worked with Janet and crew at The Baxter Bulletin. She was a very kind and dedicated person. Everyone loved her. Prayers for her family.
Carol Foster
Monday, January 24, 2022
I also worked with Janet and crew at The Baxter Bulletin. She was a very kind and dedicated person. Everyone loved her. Prayers for her family.
Jim Bodenhamer
Friday, January 21, 2022
I had the good fortune of starting my hometown journalism career in 1972 with Janet as the managing editor of the then weekly Baxter Bulletin. She was a great mentor who cared about community journalism and especially her adopted Twin Lakes Area. With reporters like Louise Fleming, Bea Devlin, and Phillip Launius along with an advertising department led by Charlie Howard and a"back shop" led by J. W. and Margie Daniel, The Bulletin gained national recognition. She led the paper as it transitioned from a weekly to a daily. No small task. This area and many journalists like me owe and remember her. -30- Janet.