Pauline Jeanette Nelson

Pauline Jeanette Nelson, 95 Daytona Beach - Pauline Jeanette Nelson of Daytona Beach, FL, joined her loved ones in Heaven on November 10, 2012 at the age of 95. Pauline was born on April 5, 1917, near Oneonta, AL to the late Mary Jane and Walter Lee Mullins. The daughter of a coal miner, she left school at the age of 16 to work in her uncle""s caf"" and help support her family during the Depression years. A pioneering business woman for her time, she opened the West End Hamburger Shop in Birmingham, AL and during WWII operated the Liberty Caf"" in Bessemer, AL. After the war, Pauline and her husband Ed owned and operated Fair Park amusement park at the Alabama State Fairgrounds in Birmingham. In 1963, she and Ed moved to Panama City Beach, FL to be partners in creating and operating Miracle Strip Amusement Park. After a lifetime of hard work, Polly and Ed retired in 1978. She enjoyed cooking, traveling, gardening, and was known for her excellent Southern cooking and home-grown trophy tomatoes. Pauline, who was known to most of her family as ""Aunt Polly"", was a spirited and loving person who lived all of her 95 years with gusto and determination. She was an inspiration to all who knew her well and will be greatly missed. Pauline was predeceased by her beloved husband of 46 years, Edwin Brooks Nelson, and sister Nellie Moore, brother Buddy Mullins, nephews Jim Stracener and Al Stracener. She leaves her loving memories to be cherished by her nieces Peggy and husband Scott, Judy Vandiver and husband Terry, Tina Neal, Mary Guffey, Edwina Price and husband Rex, Myrna Moore and husband Roger, Susan Adkins, and nephew Steve Jones. Great nieces and nephews April Mucci (Matt), Brian Neslund (Callie), Jerry Vandiver (Dawn) Jennifer Steinberg (Ronnie), Alex Neal, Kristina Neal, Heidi Black, Karen Crowder, Aleisa Leyva (Tom), James Stracener, and ten great-great nieces and nephews. A visitation will be held in the chapel at First Presbyterian Church in Lakeland, FL on Wednesday, November 14, 2012 at 1:00 pm. A funeral service will follow at 2:00 p.m. Service: 11/14/2012 First Presbyterian Church 175 Lake Hollingsworth Drive Lakeland