Nellie Mae Dyer was born on December 16, 1935, in Frederick, Oklahoma, to the late Bill Crowder and Alice Jackson. She accepted Christ at an early age, and her faith sustained her throughout her life. Nellie was a devoted member of Saint John’s Missionary Baptist Church in Lawton, Oklahoma.

She married George Dyer on November 21, 1961, in Lawton, and they remained together until his passing in 2016.

Nellie loved to cook, crochet, sing in the church choir, and serve food to her neighborhood family. She cherished caring for her grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, George; her sons, Larry, Victor, and James “Frank” Hands; her parents, Bill Crowder and Alice Jackson Hartman; and her brother, Pleas Crowder.
Nellie passed away on June 21, 2026, in Wichita Falls, Texas, while being lovingly cared for by her granddaughter, Willene.
She leaves to cherish her memory her children: Lois Austin (John, In Absentia) of Wichita Falls, TX, William Loud of Oklahoma City, OK., Brenda Shelton (George) of Wichita Falls, TX., Latangia Dallas (James) of Wichita Falls, TX., Ralph Hands (Vicki) of Lawton. She is also survived by her siblings: T.C. Hartman and Alice Dennis of Wichita Falls, TX. Nellie was blessed with twenty-six grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.