Joseph Nelson
Joseph "Joe" Nelson, 71, a resident of Cleveland, Georgia and formerly of Cleveland, Tennessee, passed away Sunday in a Chattanooga hospital.
Joe was born in Cleveland, Tennessee and he was the son of the late Pansy Mooney Nelson and Joseph A. Nelson Sr. His infant brother, Francis Van Nelson also preceded him in death.
Joe was a graduate of Gates Chili High School in Rochester, New York where he was a State Champion in Track and Field. He received his Bachelors degree from Lee University. He was retired from the Hall County, Georgia School System where he taught at the West Hall County Middle School. He also served as Volleyball Coach for West County High School and at one time was the 5th winningest volleyball coach in the State of Georgia. Joe was a member of the Concord Baptist Church in Clermont, Georgia.
Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Susan Gregory Nelson of Cleveland, Georgia, sisters, Rebecca Viola Nelson- Richards (Bill), Apison, Tennessee, Susan Isabelle Van Dora Nelson-Pugh (Tony), Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, Regina Violet Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee, brothers, Danny Ray Nelson (Sue), Benjamin Dewayne Nelson (Pam), all of Cleveland, Tennessee, half brothers, Calvin Nelson (Molly), Larry Nelson (Mie) all of Eclectic, Alabama, aunts, Mary Mooney, Lexington, Kentucky, Flora Taylor, Middletown, Ohio, Linda Curry, New Mexico, sister in law, Elaine Bradley, brother in law, Donald Gregory (Judy) and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
The Remembrance of Life Service will be conducted on Saturday, Nov. 25, at 1 p.m. at Jim Rush Funeral and Cremation Services North Ocoee Chapel with Reverend Jamey Green officiating. Interment will follow in the Sunset Memorial Gardens with Eric Nelson, Matt Nelson, Reid Nelson, Derrick Taylor, Michael Taylor, David Whitehead and Lance Whitehead serving as casket bearers.
The family request that memorials be made in honor of Joe to the Lee Flames, athletic department by clicking on the following link: https://leeuflames.com/sports/2023/9/1/give.aspx. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday at the Jim Rush Funeral and Cremation Services North Ocoee Chapel who has charge of the arrangements. You may share your condolences and your memories with Joe's family at www.jimrushfuneralhomes.com.