Nelvia Jean Agnew

Nelvia Agnew, 63, of Jonesboro, Arkansas, passed away from cancer on Thursday, February 23, 2023, at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House surrounded by her family. She was born on December 18, 1959, in Kosciusko, Mississippi, to Wayne and Beatrice Cook. After growing up in Mississippi, Nelvia lived in Montana and Nebraska before settling in Jonesboro. She and her husband David Agnew, whom she met while studying at Mississippi State University, were married for 33 years. Nelvia was a devout Christian and a member of Saint John’s Orthodox Church in Memphis. She had a servant’s heart and a passion for the deaf community, which led her to become a teacher of American Sign Language and to serve as an ASL interpreter.

Nelvia had a deep desire to help the poor and needy and believed in coming alongside people in times of trouble. Her deepest desire in life was to serve God and her family, which led her to stay at home with her sons when they were young. She enjoyed walks, watching birds, coloring, her cats, cooking for others, and fostering community among others. Most of all, she loved her family.

Survivors include her two sons, James and John, her daughter-in-law Esther, and her sister Mary Ann.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 25, 2023, at 11:00 a.m., with visitation at 10 a.m., at Saint John’s Orthodox Church in Memphis, TN, with Father Philip Rogers officiating. Burial will be at Lake Hill Memory Garden in Bethel, Tennessee.