1935
Billy (Papaw)
2017
Billy (Papaw) Nelms, Sr
September 30, 1935 — November 14, 2017
Mr. Billy A. (Papaw) Nelms, Sr went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, November 14, 2017 with his wife of 62 years by his side. He was born on September 30, 1935 to Loren DeBell and Cora Sheffer Nelms. He was the former employee and owner of Reed Brothers Feed and Seed Company in South Fulton and also worked for the Illinois Central Railroad for many years.
He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He married Shirley Jean Johnson on December 18,1954. She survives. He loved the Lord and served him faithfully throughout his life. He taught by example and was a testimony to everyone who knew him. He was quick to share about Jesus with everyone he met and spread the love of Jesus with everyone he met. He was known for handing out quarters for "pop" and small bags of bubble gum to every child who entered the
doors of Reed Brothers. He carried $2 bills in his billfold on which he had written "Jesus loves you" and handed them out to many new parents, small children, and other people whom he came in contact with each day. He was an avid hunter and trapper. He spent countless hours running his traplines with his sons and grandsons and even sharing his expertise with others in his later years. He was not only a wonderful father to his children, but was a "father" to many others by heart and not by blood.
He has one sister who survives, Joanne Nelms Valentine. He was the proud father of four children: Kay (Tony) Mathias, Bubba (Holley) Nelms, Jr, Ronnie (Melissa) Nelms, and Connie Smith and her fiance' Jon Meacham. He was the grandfather of Bryant (Amanda) Mathias, Shaun Mathias, Charity (Malcolm) Lester, Loren Nelms, Jason (Melissa) Nelms, Jerrod (Jamie) Nelms, Trevor Ward and his fiance' Amanda Reasons, and Carly Smith. His grandchildren by heart are Trent (Tara) Dowdy and Kassie (Ben) Hooks. He called them "his kids that came grown"
these special members of the family are Jere (Patty) Hughes and Joe (Janet) Dowdy. He was the great-grandfather of Katlynn Mathias, Kamrynne Mathias, Joseph Mathias, Macie Lester, Balie Lester, PJ Nelms, Jersey Nelms, Audrey Nelms, Lucy Jane Nelms, Drew Nelms, Emma Nelms, Adaline Nelms, Leo Nelms, Maggie Nelms, Chance Ward, Nevaeh Reasons and Laken Reasons. His great-grandchildren by heart are Parker and Jase Dowdy. He also is survived by many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Loren and Cora Nelms, one brother Loren D. (Butch) Nelms, Jr and a sister Gloria Stephens.
He was a member of First Baptist Church where he was a deacon as well
as a faithful member of the Fellowshippers Sunday School Class.
Funeral services will be held at 1PM Thursday at the First Baptist Church with burial to follow in the Obion County Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held at the First Baptist Church from 4-8PM Wednesday and anytime after 11AM Thursday until the hour of service.
Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Scholarship Fund, P.O. BOX 1140, Fulton, KY 42041.
He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He married Shirley Jean Johnson on December 18,1954. She survives. He loved the Lord and served him faithfully throughout his life. He taught by example and was a testimony to everyone who knew him. He was quick to share about Jesus with everyone he met and spread the love of Jesus with everyone he met. He was known for handing out quarters for "pop" and small bags of bubble gum to every child who entered the
doors of Reed Brothers. He carried $2 bills in his billfold on which he had written "Jesus loves you" and handed them out to many new parents, small children, and other people whom he came in contact with each day. He was an avid hunter and trapper. He spent countless hours running his traplines with his sons and grandsons and even sharing his expertise with others in his later years. He was not only a wonderful father to his children, but was a "father" to many others by heart and not by blood.
He has one sister who survives, Joanne Nelms Valentine. He was the proud father of four children: Kay (Tony) Mathias, Bubba (Holley) Nelms, Jr, Ronnie (Melissa) Nelms, and Connie Smith and her fiance' Jon Meacham. He was the grandfather of Bryant (Amanda) Mathias, Shaun Mathias, Charity (Malcolm) Lester, Loren Nelms, Jason (Melissa) Nelms, Jerrod (Jamie) Nelms, Trevor Ward and his fiance' Amanda Reasons, and Carly Smith. His grandchildren by heart are Trent (Tara) Dowdy and Kassie (Ben) Hooks. He called them "his kids that came grown"
these special members of the family are Jere (Patty) Hughes and Joe (Janet) Dowdy. He was the great-grandfather of Katlynn Mathias, Kamrynne Mathias, Joseph Mathias, Macie Lester, Balie Lester, PJ Nelms, Jersey Nelms, Audrey Nelms, Lucy Jane Nelms, Drew Nelms, Emma Nelms, Adaline Nelms, Leo Nelms, Maggie Nelms, Chance Ward, Nevaeh Reasons and Laken Reasons. His great-grandchildren by heart are Parker and Jase Dowdy. He also is survived by many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Loren and Cora Nelms, one brother Loren D. (Butch) Nelms, Jr and a sister Gloria Stephens.
He was a member of First Baptist Church where he was a deacon as well
as a faithful member of the Fellowshippers Sunday School Class.
Funeral services will be held at 1PM Thursday at the First Baptist Church with burial to follow in the Obion County Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held at the First Baptist Church from 4-8PM Wednesday and anytime after 11AM Thursday until the hour of service.
Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Scholarship Fund, P.O. BOX 1140, Fulton, KY 42041.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Billy (Papaw) Nelms, Sr, please visit our flower store.
Guestbook
Visits: 4
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors