Doris M. Nelmes

Cuba - Doris M. Nelmes, 90, of Cuba died January 27, 2016, at Tidewell Hospice in Bradenton, FL.

Doris, the second of ten children, was born March 18, 1925, in Buffalo, South Carolina, to Elmer and Leona Smith.  After attending Union High School in Union, South Carolina, she enlisted in the US Women’s Army Corp (WAC) and was stationed at Fort McPherson in  Georgia.  At that base she met the love of her life, Robert Nelmes, whom she married on March 7, 1947, in Palmyra, MO. Married for 66 years, she was proceeded in death by her husband.  Doris is survived by her two children, Donna  (Bruce) Schmeiser of West Lafayette, Indiana and Dale (Lynne) Nelmes of McHenry, Illinois, four grandsons, Bryan (Tara), Michael (Susan) Schmeiser, Matthew (Lindsay) and Andrew Nelmes, and six great-grandchildren, Cale, Luke, Liam, Grant, Claire, and Laila.  She is also survived by four siblings:  Bill Smith (Canton, Illinois), Anne Hall (Conover, North Carolina), Howard Smith (Greenville, South Carolina) and Betty Mann (Burlington, North Carolina).

Coming from a small southern mill town, Doris showed great strength and determination in adjusting to her new role as true partner with her husband in the farming life.  She prepared farm-sized meals for hired men, raised vegetables and fruits for canning and freezing, and ran multiple errands to make the farm run efficiently.  Doris was a devoted wife and a loving and supportive mother.  She was an active member of the United Methodist Church and an involved parent in schools and 4-H. 

Her true joys in life were her family, her Christian faith, and her love of being in the kitchen.  She often entertained friends and family with delicious, homemade meals, trying out new recipes from her extensive collection.  Even at age 90, she was in the kitchen baking and sharing her creations with those near her.  That joy was possible because of her passion for daily walks.  Her commitment to walking lasted for 35 years.

A celebration of life will be held at the Cuba United Methodist Church at a date to be decided.   Memorials may be sent to the Cuba United Methodist Church or the Grant Keime Memorial Clinic in Cuba. Henry-Lange Memorial Home in Cuba is assisting the family with arrangements and online condolences can be made at .