Nelda Doris Rouse

Once again, God has picked a rose from his beautiful garden of life. Nelda D. Blackstock Rouse was born June 26, 1944 in Florence, Alabama to the late Ernest and Estelle Blackstock. She entered into eternal rest Tuesday, October 9, 2012 after an extended illness at Summit Medical Center. At an early age, she professed a hope in Christ and united with Saint Michael's Catholic Church in Florence, Alabama. Nelda later moved her membership to Dalewood United Methodist Church in Nashville, TN. She graduated from Coffee High School, the Class of 1962, in Florence, Alabama. After 13 years, she returned to college and graduated with honors in 1979 from the University of North Alabama with a degree in nursing. Nelda moved to Nashville, Tennessee and worked for The Cornelia House for four years while also working at the VA Nashville Hospital in The Bone Marrow Transplant Unit. She continued working for an additional 20 years at the VA Hospital until retirement. Nelda's passions in life were her family, especially her grandchildren. She was our Florence Nightingale of the family, the neighborhood and to anybody that she met. She loved to cook, fish, and tailgate with her husband at the Titan's games. She was our rock, our mentor and best friend. She is preceded in death by her son, Frankie Albright. She is survived by her loving husband, Stephen Rouse, Sr.; daughter, Donnell (Greg) Bretherick, daughter, Robyn (Michael) Sims; sons, Stephen (Shari) Rouse, Jr., Michael Rouse; Great Aunt Mary Burrough; brothers, Lance (Cindy) Blackstock, Babe (Ann) Blackstock, James (Ann) Blackstock; grandchildren, Brittany & Natasha Traffanstedt, Austin & Tyler Bretherick, Charity (Sebah) Tarian, Caleb, Corey and Courtney Albright, Lil Steve Rouse III, Natasha Rouse Watkins, Erika Rouse (Terrance) Sandidge, Antonio Payne, Nick (Sothia) Owens; great granddaughters, Lexie, Gracie, Emma, Adison & Rihanna Rouse, Dasia Payne, Shiianna Sim; great grandsons, Joseph, Austin, Corbin, Nick Jr., and Zaccai Owens and Brandon Sim; and a host of loving relatives, nieces, nephews and devoted friends. Visitation with the family will be 1 - 7 p.m. Sunday, October 14, 2012 at PHILLIPS-ROBINSON FUNERAL HOME, 2707 Gallatin Pike, Nashville, TN 37216. Funeral services will be 10:30 a. m. Monday, October 15, 2012 at Dalewood United Methodist Church, 2300 Ridgecrest Drive, Nashville, TN with Brian Rossbert officiating. Entombment will follow at Spring Hill Mausoleum, 5110 Gallatin Road, Nashville.

Nelda Doris Rouse

June 26, 1944 - October 9, 2012