Larry E. Nelson

Larry E. Nelson was born on September 14, 1949, to Rozell, Sr. and Elnora Nelson in St. Louis, MO in Homer G. Phillips Hospital. His siblings are Gene Gillespie, Natalia Nelson (deceased), and Rozell Nelson, Jr. (deceased). His childhood friends consisted of John Thomas, Roger Thomas, Cleo Nicholes, Peter Scaife, along with his brother Rozell. They all enjoyed playing baseball and playing a good game of checkers.

Larry graduated from Sumner High School in St. Louis, where he excelled in track and field. He worked multiple part-time jobs throughout his high school and college careers. He holds a MBA, Business Management, Keller Graduate School of Management, Chicago, IL, BS-EE with Power Emphasis, University of Missouri-Rolla, MO. While attending Rolla, he was a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, at Epsilon Psi Chapter. He also held a wealth of knowledge in the scriptures to the point where some called him a walking encyclopedia of the word.

Larry was employed as an engineer with Aerotek Energy Services, Patrick Energy Services, Exelon Corporation (ComEd), and KDM Engineering where he was able to utilize his engineering skills and/or plan, design, analyze and trouble shoot electrical circuits. He was a registered Professional Engineer with the states of Illinois and Maryland.

After college, Larry met and married Catherine Buchanan on June 24, 1974. God blessed this union with three children Keischa, Larry, Jr. and Christina. He is the proud grandfather of ten grandchildren: DeShawn Moore, Kyonni Moore, Malik Jamison, Devante Moore, Suriya Ross, Judah Nelson, Kyleigh Nelson, Larry "Trey" Nelson, III, Julissa Boyd, and Mila Nelson.

Larry accepted the Lord at an early age. He was ordained and served as Elder, Sunday School Teacher, and Trustee of Bethesda Gospel Tabernacle under the pastorate of Rev. Thomas O. Wilson. He continued in his ministerial capacities at New Beginnings Full Gospel Church under Founding Pastors Corneal and Joyce A. Harper, until his demise. He is also the Founder and CEO of Liberating Word Ministries, Inc.

Throughout his life he gave his time and talents to help people whether it was for the ministry, financial, or educational. It didn’t matter who you were, if there was a need, he always tried to help in some form from his heart.

He was preceded in death by his parents Rozell, Sr. and Elnora, brother Rozell, Jr., and sister Natalia.

To cherish the fond memories of Larry E. Nelson, Sr. are his wife of 53 years, Catherine, three children, Keischa, Larry, Jr. (Brenda), Christina, one sister, Gene Gillespie, ten grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends.

Visitation will take place on Friday, November 21, 2025 from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at Skyline Funeral Home (24800 S. Governors Hwy., Monee, IL) and on Saturday, November 22, 2025 from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. at Robbins Church of God in Christ (3318 W. 137th St., Robbins, IL) Funeral Service to follow at 11:00 A.M. Interment Skyline Memorial Park (24800 S. Governors Hwy., Monee, IL) For information, please call 708-534-8256