Beverly Joyce Nelson, daughter of the late Moses Eugene Smith, Sr. and Mildred Perry Smith. She was born on March 3, 1944 in Hempstead, New York and departed this life on Sunday, November 29, 2020 in Hempstead. She  was the youngest of 4 children and the sister of the late Moses Eugene Smith, Jr., Marianne Carole Smith Bullock and the late Marguerite "Margo" Smith.

Her early education was in the th Hempstead Public School District. After High School she started working at 2nd National Bank in Hempstead. After 2 years she left the bank and started her career at the New York Telephone Company. She married Franklin Dewitt Thomas and together they raised her late daughter, Sherrie Darlene Thomas. She worked for 25 years before having to leave the New York Telephone Company due to health reasons.

In Spite of her disability she did not give up. With her friend, Valerie Purdy Jackson, and her guide dog, Winker, she went
back to school. With her strength and independence she attended Nassau Community, Molloy and Adelphi Colleges. She graduated and became a  Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW).  

On June 22, 2005 she married her loving and devoted husband, William "Bill" Nelson, who took excellent care of her throughout her illness. No matter the struggle she always found a way to let her beauty shine.

She leaves to cherish fond memories, a loving  husband William "Bill" Nelson, sister Marriane Carole Smith Bullock, nephew Moses Eugene Smith lll (Cathy), Debra Harrison Smith (Tracy), Jill Smith, Shellie Smith Jones, Tina Smith Wynder (AJ) and a host of great and great grand nieces and nephews and her long time best friend Anna "Cookie" Smith.