Thomas Homer Nelson

Thomas Homer Nelson, age 88, died peacefully at his daughter's home in Brandon, Mississippi on Saturday, February 28. He was born September 13, 1926, in Lawrence, Mississippi. A funeral service will be Tuesday, March 3, at 11:30 at Memory Chapel in Laurel, Mississippi with visitation beginning at 10:00. Following the service, burial will be in the Lawrence Cemetery, Lawrence, Mississippi. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer and Gregg Weaver, his grandson, John Nelson Weaver, all of Brandon; and a step-granddaughter, Kristy Holland, of Littleton, CO; his sister, Margaret Helen Simmons, of Newton; nephews, Tommy Simmons of Germantown, TN, Burnell Simmons of Conehatta, and Garner McDonald of Yachats, OR; a niece, Rogene Ellis of Jupiter, FL; and special friend, Betty Henderson. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Homer Nelson, Sr. and Margaret Irene Nelson Betsill; his first wife, Jennie Garner Nelson, and his second wife, Fay McFarland Nelson; a sister, Sara Parker; a nephew, Danny Parker; and a niece, Alice Carol Baton. A member of The Greatest Generation, his loyalties were to God, family, and country. As a faithful member of the United Methodist Church, he served in numerous positions of leadership in churches in Newton, Brandon (Crossgates) and Laurel. For the past thirty years he was a dedicated member of Laurel First Methodist and a member of the Wesley Sunday School Class. He was a devoted son, husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle. Upon graduating from Newton High School, her served his country during WWII in the United States Army. After more than 35 years with the company, he retired from what is now CenterPoint Energy. He completed 60 years of serive as a Master Mason in good standing, was a Shriner and 32nd Degree Mason of the Scottish Rite. For the last few years, most mornings were spent with the Laurel "Hardee's bunch", having a bacon and egg biscuit, a cup of hot coffee and talking with this caring diverse group. From there it was on to playing several friendly, but serious, games of dominoes. On Sunday evenings and occasionally other times during the week, he and a group would get together to play the card game Skippo. He truly enjoyed all these times with friends. The family would like to thank Homer's dedicated caregiver, Tommy Hartley, and the wonderful Sta-Home Hospice staff that helped ensure his comfort and well-being over these past two months. The family asks that those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to First United Methodist Church of Laurel.

Thomas Homer Nelson

September 13, 1926 - February 28, 2015