Obituaries

Violet Kanode Nelson, 69, of Collinsville, VA, passed away after fighting metastatic lung cancer on October 10, 2022. She was surrounded by her family at home.

Visitation will be Friday, October 14, 2022, at 1:30 P. M. at Wright Funeral Service & Crematory in Martinsville, VA

Funeral services will be held Friday October 14, at 2:00 P. M. at Wright Funeral Service & Crematory in Martinsville, VA. Burial will follow at Roselawn Burial Park in Martinsville, VA.

Violet was born in Stuart, VA, to Leonard Cecil and Ada Handy Kanode on December 11, 1952. She graduated from Drewry Mason High School in 1971 and earned her education degree from Radford College and master’s degree from the University of Virginia. She married Garry Nelson who fell in love with her at first sight after seeing her as a contestant in a beauty pageant. They celebrated 46 years of marriage. For 45 years, she taught many of Martinsville and Henry County’s Public School students through a variety of teaching positions with children of all ages. Her numerous students were part of her classroom at Leatherwood School, her Gifted and Talented classrooms which spanned the middle and high schools across the county, and elementary classes at Albert Harris Elementary.

Violet always enjoyed watching Perry Mason with her husband, shopping trips with her daughter, and creating stained glass projects with friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Deborah Moore.

Violet is survived by her husband, Garry; daughter Candice Gordon and husband, Blake; and siblings Bobby Kanode and wife Lynn, Barry Kanode and wife Susan, and Thelma Davis and husband Martin.

Wright Funeral Service & Crematory is serving the family.