He retired from Tennessee Eastman with 33 years of service.
Mr. Nelson attended Liberty Free Will Baptist Church.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and was a charter member of the South Central Ruritan Club.
Survivors include two daughters and one son-in-law: Rita and Gary Canter and Cathy Nelson, all of Chuckey; three grandchildren: Kendall Mathes of Chuckey, Jason Mercer of Greeneville, and Amanda Mercer of Chuckey; five great grandchildren: Averell Duncan, Emily Mercer, and McKinley Duncan, all of Sevierville, Tennessee, Lanta Nelson of Greeneville, and Gage Mercer of Baileyton; brother and sister-in-law: Ben Wayne and Sarah Nelson of Harrisonburg, Virginia; a sister: Louise Watts of Jonesborough; and several nieces and nephews.
He was the son of the late James Clyde and Montie Hensley Nelson and was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years: Mable Broyles Nelson; three brothers: Edward, Tommy, and Howard Nelson; and one sister: Barbara Casey.
The family was particularly grateful to longtime physician, Kevin Toppenberg; the VA-Mountain Home; Avalon Hospice, especially Brook Monroe; Gloria Doolittle (Home Helper); and Lakebridge Nursing Center, especially Toby Ritenour.
The family will receive friends 4-7 p.m. Thursday at Liberty Free Will Baptist Church.
The funeral service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Thursday at the church with Rev. John Buchanan and Rev. Tim Broyles officiating.
Interment will be at 11 a.m. Friday in Liberty Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Keith Watts, Lynn Casey, Richard Nelson, Ronnie Casey, Steve Cutshall, and Allen Payne.
Honorary pallbearers are the men of Liberty Free Will Baptist Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Liberty Free Will Baptist Church, 90 Guy Brown Road, Chuckey, TN 37641.
