Robert Earl Nelson Sr.

Celebration of Life Service for Mr. Robert Earl Nelson Sr. will be held on August 19th, 2023 at 2:00pm at the St. Matthews MB Church, 1213 Island Road Columbus, MS 39701, Pastor Davis. Burial to follow immediately after service at St. Matthews Church Cemetery. Robert Earl Nelson Sr. (Bob) was born on March 3rd, 1938 in Lowndes County. He unexpectedly transitioned on August 8th 2023, after he laughed, had fun, and enjoyed his team, the Columbus Four on Tuesday night bowling in Columbus. He was a devoted member of the St. Mathews Church where his grandfather was listed as one of the founding members and where he choose to worship God. He was a graduate of R.E. Hunt High in Columbus. In 1956 He moved to Rochester NY, to start his family. He married his highschool sweetheart Lessie Cockrell Nelson. Mother of 6 children, Dan, Deborah, Beverly, Janet, Carl, and Lisa Nelson. He attended The Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, NY as a Tool and Die Machinist. He continued on his journey as he continued to roll and bowl through this thing called life. His journey moved him to Los Angeles, California were he married Joyce Taylor Nelson. Mother of 1 child Robert Earl Nelson Jr (Bobby). He enjoyed his role being a DJ a party rocker when he was younger. He loved to bowl and travel. He dreamed big as a business owner and entreprenuer of the Riverside Lounge. This is were he enjoyed music and a good time with good friends. He enjoyed life in general, he was a free spirit, no nonsense, kind person, was gentle, and smooth nice dresser. He was a very diligent, on time hard worker. He rolled and bowled and was still very active at 85 driving back and forth from California visiting his son and not even ready to slow down. He last worked with Tupelo Tools. He recently retired after working for more than 55 years in the Tool & Die industry all over. He kept it rolling through this journey called life. He was a dedicated team member, a friend of the Columbus Four Bowling Team & The Columbus Five Travel League which made the highlight of his day sharing his high score with his daughter daily. He really loved to bowl that was his heart, traveling, his children, and his family. He enjoyed having fun, having a good time watching sports, church, his friends and his cat Georgia who are now both gone. He was a loving, father, grandfather, great grandfather, who now is going to be greatly missed by his children, grandchildren and many more. He is preceeded in death by his father Dan Buddy Nelson, his mother Ophelia Lowe Carey, his sisters Betty Burnette & Mary Morgan, his aunt Mary Brown(Sister), and Gertrude Reeder. Lessie Nelson and their son Dan Earl Nelson. Son Robert Earl Nelson Jr. (Bobby), his granddaughters Janivy Nelson, Stacy Terry, his grandson Darrell Gamble, and his niece Elizabeth Burnette. Ms. Ethel Swisher. His surviving children Deborah Nelson, Beverly (Howard) Terry, Pastor Janet (Bishop Willie) Washington, Carl Nelson, Johnnie Belinda Nelson Culver, Lisa (Stephen) Lewis of Rochester New York, Wendall (Ebonie) Swisher Victorville, California Grandchildren Willie Gamble, Jamie, Jahna, Tiffany Terry, Kim Terry, John Terry, Marquita Peterkin, Dalinda Brown, Philip Nelson, D.J. Nelson, Stevevon Lewis, Leslie Lewis, Shavonia Lewis, Wendy, Wenisha, Wendall Jr and Wenshelia. His God sister Ruth William. Sister in law Rosemary Cockrell, Annette Macon. Brother in law Daniel Cockrell. Nieces Gwen Williams, Gwen Burnett, Lee Burnette, Kim Morgan, and Tina Morgan. Nephew Willie Williams Jr. Long time friends Mr. Albert Thomas, Jerry Thomas, D.L. Berry, Mrs. Karen who's part of The Columbus Four and Columbus Five. Special friend Ms. Annie Starks and cousins Felecia, Michele and Jessica Reeder. A host of many more cousins, friends, and other relatives who will cherish his memory. His last bowl & roll on this side of Life was ended on Tuesday August 8th, 2023. He enjoyed his life to the fullest. He made the best of his journey and rolled right out of this life on into glory. BODY ENTRUSTED to Lee's Sykes Funeral Home 422 N 12th St, Columbus MS 39701 Family will have a balloon release in the parking lot of Rebound Bowl former GT lanes Saturday August 19th at 5:30pm.

Robert Earl Nelson Sr.

March 3, 1938 - August 8, 2023

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Robert Earl Nelson Sr.

March 3, 1938 - August 8, 2023

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

365 Days of Grief Support