James Nelson

James Richard Nelson, 89, of Mobile, Alabama, passed away peacefully at his home on March 26, 2018.
James is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Bobbie Mack Nelson, his children, Wanda Nelson Johnson of Largo, Florida (Charles Wayne Johnson), Susan Nelson Pickard of Mobile (Paul Wesley Pickard, MD) and Richard Allen Nelson of Mobile (Kimberly Shepherd Nelson). He is also survived by his grandchildren, Matthew Dale Johnson (Courtney Silvay Johnson), James Wesley Pickard, William Nelson Pickard, Richard Blakely Nelson (Kellen Walsh Nelson), Anna Marie Nelson and his great-granddaughter, Rylie Ella Johnson. He is also survived by his siblings Willadeen Lee, Jewelene Burdick, Garnieta Strickland, Marilyn Anderson and Ronald Nelson. He was preceded in death by his grandson, Scott Wesley Johnson, his parents, Rev. James Monroe and Eunice Estelle Walker Nelson and brother, Gailon Nelson.
James was born in 1929 in Andalusia, Alabama and was the third of seven children. He graduated from Straughn High School where he was an athlete and a scholar. He honorably served in the United States Army in Germany during the Korean Conflict. His career was spent with L&N Railroad and the Alabama State Docks' Terminal Railway. He was an active member of Emmanuel Baptist Church for 60 years, serving in many capacities on the board and as a delightful example of the joy of Christianity.
James was an avid fisherman, golfer, and gardener and will best be remembered for his faithfulness to his Lord, his devotion to family and his engaging sense of humor. His family is comforted by the knowledge that he spends eternity fishing with family members, golfing with old friends and has a whole new audience for his jokes. We are certain that the angels greet him with affection, much rejoicing and most probably "Dinner on the Grounds."
The family will receive friends onThursday, March 29, 2018, at Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home at 9 am until service time at 10 am. A committal service will be held at the gravesite at Babbie Baptist Church in Covington County, Alabama. Memorial donations may be made to Emmanuel Baptist Church, 5601 Zeigler Boulevard, Mobile, 36608.

Visitation

Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home
6040 Three-Notch Road
Mobile, AL  36619
Thursday, March 29, 2018
9 - 10:00 AM

Service

Funeral Service

Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home
6040 Three-Notch Road
Mobile, AL  36619
Thursday, March 29, 2018
10:00 AM

Cemetery

Mobile Memorial Gardens
6100 Three-Notch Road
Mobile, AL  36619

Memorial Contributions

Emmanuel Baptist Church
5601 Zeigler Boulevard
Mobile, AL  36608