JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
An early morning fire in West Jackson has taken the life of a woman who had worked her way up through the Jackson Public School system. Those who knew 76-year-old Geneva Nelson say she lived alone and was showing signs of failing health.
One of Nelson's neighbors who didn't want to be named said she was in shock to find her neighbor's home burnt and filled with smoke.
"When I saw the amount of smoke coming out of the house I figured she was already gone" said a neighbor who didn't want to be identified.
The Jackson Fire Department rushed to Nelson's home in the 2900 block of Bailey Avenue around 2:00 A.M. Tuesday.
"When units arrived on scene we had a fully involved house fire" said Deputy Chief R. D. Simpson
Neighbors say they believe Nelson was suffering from early signs of dementia and shouldn't have been left to live alone.
"This is tragic this is a tragedy that could have been stopped so long ago, but it's not and here we are tonight" the neighbor added.
By daybreak you could see the home completely charred. Nelson's cousins went through the only items that weren't burned in Nelson's home. They were hoping to find some personal information like a social security number to help make proper final arrangements for their loved one.
Geneva Nelson began work in the Jackson Public School district in 1967 as a teacher and counselor at Blackburn.
In 1970 she transferred to Bailey where she was a teacher and counselor, becoming acting assistant principal in 1976, and assistant principal in 1978.
In 1984 she moved to Chastain where she was assistant principal until the time she left the district in 1986.
She was never married and didn't have any siblings or children.
"She didn't have no kids so she adopted me and taught me everything I know" said Greggory Chase, Nelson's Godson.
The cause of the fire that started in Nelson's home remains under investigation.
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