James Nelson
James Nelson, 62, passed away on May 17, 2017.
He was born in Chattanooga, to Melvin Nelson and Venedia P. Nelson Sparks. He attended Howard High School Class of “72” and Fisk University. He retired from Hardee’s after 20 plus years, and he was an Army veteran. He was a member of Warren Chapel AME Church.
He was preceded in death by his father, Melvin Nelson; brother, Anthony Nelson; grandmother, Geneva P. Mabry; and grandfather, Charlie Washington Phillips.
He is survived by his wife, Karen Nelson; mom and stepdad, Joseph and Venedia Sparks; daughters, Ashley Blake, A’Sha, Alexis, and Aniya Nelson, all of Chattanooga; sisters, Alesia DeAnn Nelson, New Mexico, Beverly Sutton, Linda Rodgers and Nina Benford, all of Chattanooga; brother, Ronnie Sparks; three brothers-in-law, Jimmy, Leslie Blake, and Samuel Caffey; two sisters-in-law, Karen Blake and Keisha Caffey; two grandchildren, Jamiya Nelson and Carson James Dozier.
The body will lie in state beginning at noon on Friday, May 26, at Warren Chapel AME Church. The service will begin at 1 p.m. with Pastor Pedro Basden officiating. Interment will be in Chattanooga National Cemetery, at 2:30 p.m.
Funeral arrangements are provided by John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Avenue, 423-622-9995.