Paula Rose Nelson, 71, of Urbana passed away at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 25, 2017 at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 1, 2017 at Renner-Wikoff Chapel in Urbana. Rev. Richard McGuire will officiate. A visitation will be held prior to the funeral from 9:00-10:00 a.m. Burial will take place at Prairie View Cemetery in Savoy.

Paula was born in Los Angeles, CA on April 6, 1945 to parents Junior and Zella (Richardson) Preston. They preceded her in death. On February 14, 1982 she married Phillip Nelson; he passed away on August 26, 2005. Also preceding her in death were her sisters Pamela Molnar and Karen Brand.

She is survived by her children; Terri Vallery of Champaign, Phil Akers of Henderson, NV, Larry Johnson of Blue Mound, and Rebecca Hill of Bloomington, three brothers, five sisters, 16 of grandchildren and six greatgrandchildren also survive her.

Paula loved bowling, camping and playing cards and board games with her family.