Patricia Ruth Nelson

Dr. Patricia Ruth Nelson, 86, died March 18, 2012, at Saint Joseph Hospital, Lexington, Kentucky.

Dr. Patricia Nelson, born Patricia Cline, entered this world August 19, 1925 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She was the daughter of the late Elmer and Ruth Cline and younger sister to the late Betty Cline.

She was ambitious from a young age and often the leader-of-the-pack in her neighborhood. During World War II, she became a draftsmen for the Shell Oil Company and continued to use her skills in pen-and-ink as an artist.

Her career was in Special Education, beginning at Sunnyside School in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Afterwards, she became the Program Director for Home of Hope, a residential facility for mentally challenged adults in Vinita, Oklahoma. She became the Department Chair/Coordinator of the Will Rogers High School Special Education Department, Tulsa Oklahoma in 1972. She received her Master's Degree in 1975 and pursued her career as Assistant Professor of Special Education at The University of Tulsa. In 1983, having received her Doctorate of Education, she began a teaching career at Eastern Kentucky University as an Associate Professor.

She also taught at Murray State University, developing their Severe-Profound Program and ended her teaching career at Troy State University at Dothan, Alabama. She was appointed by Governor Fob James to a taskforce council to develop a five year plan to eradicate illiteracy in Alabama.

She was devoted to her family, friends, and students.

Dr. Patricia Nelson is survived by her daughter, Leslie Coleman, grandsons; Philip Hanan, Samuel Coleman; and Christian Nelson, all of Lexington

Private family services.

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Arrangements under the direct care of Coffman Mortuary Parlor.

Funeral

Private Family Service