Hubert Roy Nelms of Fort Smith, Arkansas passed away peacefully at home at the age of 90 on July 12, 2026. Roy was born on February 10, 1936, in Rushing, Arkansas. He developed a strong work ethic from a very young age, which served him well throughout his life. He served in the Navy as a gunner’s mate on the USS Cimarron in the Pacific. He joined Norge at their Fort Smith refrigeration plant when it opened in 1962, before it was acquired by Whirlpool in 1966. He served in many roles and made many friends at the plant before retiring in 1992. In his spare time, Roy loved to garden, discuss politics, and tell stories from his life adventures. He was a loving husband and father.
He is survived by his wife, Arvetta Nelms; his daughters, Lori Montgomery (Russ Williams) of Memphis, TN, and Cheryl Vandemark (Doug) of California; his sons, Kenny Nelms of South Dakota and Marlon Nelms (Robin) of Kansas; his stepson, Keith Woods (Soni) of Texas; eleven grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; his brother, Bill Nelms; his sisters, Mildred Hoehman, and Pat Hall (Mickey); and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph Nelms; his mother, Wilma Bradbury; and his sisters, Joyce Moore and Dorothy Bruce.
Funeral service will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, July 15 at McConnell Funeral Home Chapel in Greenwood with burial with military honors at the Fort Smith National Cemetery. Viewing will begin at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, before the service.
Pallbearers will be Michael Montgomery, Grayson Woods, Keith Woods, Beau Hall, James Hall and Wayne Hall. Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Autry, Louis Morales and Jackie Swafford.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation at www.t2t.org.
To share a memory or leave a message for the family, please visit www.mcconnellfh.com.
