IOLA — Nellie Beardmore, 63, of Iola, formerly of Parsons, died at 5:25 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011, at the Allen County Hospital in Iola. She had been in failing health but her death was unexpected.

She was born Nov. 20, 1948, in Mount Hersey, Ark., to Bub and Frances (Smith) Waldon. As a child, she moved with her family to Wichita, where she grew up and attended schools.

In 1975 she moved to Parsons. She worked at the Katy Hospital, the Kansas Army Ammunition Plant and Power Flame. Later, she moved to Fort Worth, Texas, and worked for the Lokey Iron and Alloy Co. Following her retirement, she moved to Iola in 1998.

She enjoyed playing bingo, bowling, crocheting and attending her children’s sporting events.

Survivors include a son, Gerald Beardmore and his wife, Kerri, of Parsons; a daughter, Frances Valentine and her husband, Greg, of Iola; six grandchildren, Dennis Hillis, Cody Hillis, Zane Valentine, Kolby Valentine, Tyler Beardmore and Bryleigh Beardmore; and two sisters, Fay Heard and her husband, Milburn, of Eufala, Okla., and Bonnie Long and her husband, Charlie, of Muskogee, Okla.

She was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers and one sister.

Following cremation, a private family service will take place in Arkansas.

The family suggests memorial contributions to the Parsons Education Foundation.

These may be left at or mailed to the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home P.O. Box 374, Parsons.