Althea Pearl Nelms

Althea Pearl Nelms, was born March 17, 1923, in Troy, Missouri, to Lawrence and Esther (Knipmeyer) Schaper. She passed away peacefully on November 29, 2024, after a life devoted to faith and service to God. She was 101 years old. 

Althea attended school in Troy, Barnsdall, OK, and Elsberry, MO as well as God's Bible School in Cincinnati, OH. A woman of deep faith, she accepted Christ as a child and spent her life serving the Lord. She was an integral part of her church community and was a spiritual inspiration to all who knew her. In addition to her duties as a pastors wife she was a trusted confidant, mentor and spiritual counselor to those who sought her advice.

 On November 16, 1942, Althea married Martin Lee Nelms, and together they spent the next 40 years serving in pastoral and evangelistic ministry until Martin’s retirement in 1982. 

Althea was a loving mother to two sons, Donald Lee and James Robert. She is survived by her one son, Don and his wife, Delight of Rocklin, CA; and a granddaughter, Laurie Pfaff and her husband, Randy of Rocklin, CA. Althea’s legacy continues through her five great‐grandchildren: Matthew Provence (Knoxville, TN), Marissa Provence (Mason) (Elkheart, IN), Arielle Cromer (Jeff)(Reno, NV), Adrianna Hostein (Dylan) (Casper, WY) , and Ashley Cornes (Christian)(Rocklin, CA), as well as great‐great‐grandchildren, Julian and Alaina Cromer (Reno, NV) and Remedy Cornes (Rocklin, CA). Althea is also survived by her nieces, nephews, and many other relatives and friends who were blessed by her love and faith. 

She was preceded in death by her husband of 73 years, Martin, her son James Robert; granddaughter, Cheryl Provence; and three brothers, Paul Schaper, James Ralph and Winston Schaper. Althea leaves behind a lasting legacy of love, faith, and service to the Lord, which will continue to inspire all who knew her. Her family takes comfort in knowing she is now at peace with her Savior. 

A memorial for family and friends to honor her memory and celebrate her life is scheduled for April 22, 2025, at 2pm at Potts Chapel of Independence, Kansas. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Independance Bible School in her name. Independance Bible School ‐ 2246 S 10th St, Independance, KS 67301.