Nellie L Truitt

Nellie L. Byrne Truitt October 16, 1929--January 30, 2026 Nellie completed her earthly journey on January 30, 2026, as she was peacefully gathered into the loving arms of the Savior Jesus, whom she loved all her life, to join her beloved husband Bill Truitt in their new heavenly home. Nellie was born October 16, 1929 to Lester and Josie Byrne in Washington, NC, and moved as an infant with her older brother and parents to the Tidewater of Virginia, where her father found work in the shipyards of the region. Nellie lived all her life in Portsmouth, VA. and graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1948. After high school Nellie worked in retail and was a checker at the A & P grocery store when her future husband, Bill Truitt, came through her checkout line. They checked each other out! and were married June 12, 1949. From this marriage came a daughter, Jo Anne Cox, (Chuck) of Wenatchee, WA., a son Bill (Sonja) of Ivor, VA. and four grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. Nellie was a natural artist, a talent inherited from her father. She had an eye for color and detail and enjoyed painting portraits.. Nellie took great pride in being a homemaker for her family. She was an exquisite down-home Southern cook: fried chicken, chicken and dumplings, biscuits, and the best-ever banana pudding, to name a sampling of her repertoire. Even the family cat liked Nellie’s succotash! Nellie also made fig preserves and pickled watermelon rind from old family recipes. Nellie shared her pickled watermelon rind recipe in the Highgate cookbook, a collection of recipes from Highgate residents, families, and chefs. Bill and Jo Anne could not go out to play until they had done their homework, and Nellie helped her son and daughter with their assignments, nourishing them with milk and cookies as they studied. She made her excellent brewed sweet iced tea to sell at her son’s Little League baseball games as a fundraiser for the team. Nellie fashioned “fishing poles” from coat hangers and sat with her children by the neighborhood’s drainage ditches, pretending to fish. She provided yummy treats as a “room mother.” Nellie was a life-long believer in Jesus. She was active in her church and shared her beautiful soprano voice in the choir. On May 3, 2021, Nellie lost her beloved husband Bill to COVID after 72 years of marriage. After his death, she summoned her Southern lady strength strength to sell her home and move across the country to Wenatchee, WA to be with her daughter. Nellie enjoyed rides around the Wenatchee valley, marveling at the unique geology, the hills, the orchards, and the snow. Nellie and her husband Bill had been great fans of the Olive Garden restaurants, and Nellie declared the Olive Garden of East Wenatchee to be the best! She was graciously served by Scott Marchant, bartender/server extraordinaire. Nellie lived the last four years of her life at Highgate Senior Living Community of Wenatchee, where she was lovingly cared for with respect, kindness, patience, and professionalism. Nellie’s family expresses abundant thanks and appreciation to the staff of Highgate Senior Living for their loving care of our mother. Burial with a graveside service will be held February 20, 2026, Friday, 1 p.m., at the Wenatchee city cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift to: Wenatchee Brethren-Baptist Church, who have been the hands and feet of the Lord Jesus to the family, 535 Okanogan Ave., Wenatchee, WA 98801; “Highgate Together,” employee assistance program, Highgate Senior Living Community, 3201 Miller St., Wenatchee, WA 98801. Please express your thoughts and memories on the online guestbook at jonesjonesbetts.com. Arrangements by Jones & Jones – Betts Funeral Home.

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Nellie L Truitt

October 16, 1929 - January 30, 2026