Theodore "Ted" R. Nelson

Theodore “Ted” R. Nelson, 98, of Port Lavaca passed away on August 24, 2025. He was born August 14, 1927 in Bumpass, Virginia to Floyd and Juanita Beatrice Nelson. Ted was retired from Union Carbide and served in the United States Army Air Force. He was active in Mt. Sinai Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon, was a past member of the Masonic Lodge, was an avid golfer, and loved watching Wheel-Of-Fortune.

He is survived by his daughters, Shelia Southall of Cincinnati, Ohio, Juanita Hughes of Gary, Indiana, Ynell Holcomb (Wilbert) of Mesquite, Texas, and Kathy Nelson of Lansing, Illinois; sister, Amanda Cuffy; brother, Morris Nelson; grandchildren, Wilbert L. Holcomb Jr., David Hughes Jr., Robert Southall Jr., and LaTia Hughes; and 6 great-grandchildren, Amani Brown, Robert III, Evelyn, Kai and Trey Southall, and Karringtyn Wilder.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Katie Beatrice Leonard Nelson; parents; son, Theodore “Teddy” Nelson Jr.; son-in-law, David Hughes; sisters, Hattie Johnson, Mozelle Brooks, Mary Yancey and Jacqueline Payton; brothers, William Nelson, Wallace Nelson and Everett “Tootsie” Nelson; and granddaughters, Taneasha Eshell Holcomb and Tysha Wilder.

Visitation will be held Saturday, September 6, 2025 from 11 am – 12 pm at Parkway Church, 2400 Highway 35 South, Port Lavaca followed by funeral services at 12 pm with Rev. James Fowler Jr. officiating. Burial will follow in Port Lavaca Cemetery with military honors under the auspices of the Calhoun County Veterans Joint Honor Guard.

Pallbearers will be Joseph Vickers, Christopher, Earl, Earnest Joe Jr. and Clarence Leonard, John Martinez, and Raymond and Steve Butler.

Memorial donations may be made to Mt. Sinai Baptist Church in Port Lavaca in Ted’s memory.

Words of comfort and special memories may be shared with the family at www.richardsoncolonial.com.