Nelson Paul Firmin Jr.

Nelson Paul Firmin Jr. passed away on December 3rd, 2025. Born on July 6, 1947, in Cottonport, Louisiana, to Nelson Paul Firmin Sr. and Nora Cecelia Ponthieux, Nelson spent his early childhood in Cottonport before moving with his family to New Orleans at the age of twelve. He was a beloved brother to his many siblings.

After high school, he moved to Pensacola, Florida, where he began working as a mechanic for Herrin Truck Lines. In December 1966, Nelson married Mary Christine Williams. When he was drafted into the Army to serve in Vietnam, Nelson obediently answered his nation’s call and completed basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia and served in Vietnam. Nelson was awarded the Silver Star for his extraordinary bravery in saving several members of his company.

In 1970, his work transferred him to Memphis, Tennessee and his family soon grew with the birth of his 2 daughters, Michelle and Brenda. He continued his career with McLean Truck Lines until his retirement in 1992. He later joined Empire Express, where he worked until his second retirement. Throughout his professional life, Nelson was distinguished for his loyalty, exceptional work ethic, and steadfast reliability.

He worked two full-time jobs for most of his life, leaving him little time for hobbies.

However, he enjoyed John Wayne movies, country music, playing his Gibson guitar and fishing—though he often spent the entire day baiting hooks and untangling lines for others. A man of faith, he lived his beliefs with quiet devotion, with his daughters often seeing him kneeling each night in prayer. He spent his life in the service of others, quietly paying bills, covering groceries, buying gifts, and offering support to countless people, never allowing anyone else to pick up the check. He was a loyal friend to many and was admired for his dedication and integrity in every workplace he served.

To his grandchildren, he was affectionately known as “Papa” and was famous for his “Papa Fun Days,” which began with breakfast at Chick-fil-A and evolved into adventures all over the city. He loved taking his children and grandchildren to work with him, sneaking rides on forklifts, letting them wash trucks, and spoiling them with candy and Coca-Cola. He was admired and loved deeply by his daughters and their families.

Nelson is preceded in death by his father, Nelson Paul Firmin Sr.; his mother, Nora Cecelia Ponthieux; and his daughter, Michelle Firmin Halpin. He is survived by his daughter, Brenda Lamey (Che Lamey), and his grandchildren Emma Halpin Nwobilor (Kashirim Nwobilor), Jack Halpin, Liam Halpin, Ethan Halpin, Maggie Lamey, Nelson Lamey, and Miriam Lamey and great-grandson Cyprian Nelson Nwobilor.

"It's not how you're buried, it's how you're remembered." John Wayne, The Cowboys