Born in Madison County, Mr. Nelms was a son of the late William Howard Nelms and Osie Lugina Sorrow Nelms. He retired from Wellington Puritan Mill where he worked as a supervisor. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and being around the ballfield.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Nelms was preceded in death by his wife, Callie Elizabeth “Peggy” Nelms; granddaughter, Stacey Denise Osborne; and brothers, Curtis Nelms and J.W. Nelms.
Survivors include children, Lee Nelms Jr. of Athens, Tyler Nelms (Lynn) of Florida, Rechelle Osborne (Mark) of Arnoldsville and Todd Nelms of Hull; brothers, Donald Nelms and Joe Nelms; sisters, Lucille Faulkner (Billy), Charlene Carithers, Virginia Myers and Dorothy Dalton; grandchildren, Rebekah Nelms, Tara Booth, Michael Osborne, Wendy Osborne, Wendell Lee Nelms, Christopher Nelms and Jerry Nelms; 12 great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends Wednesday, May 12, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at Bernstein Funeral Home.
A graveside service will be held Thursday, May 13, at 2:00 p.m., at Evergreen Memorial Park, with Pastors Jimmy Edwards and Mitch Elder officiating.
Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
