Edward C. Nelson

Early on the afternoon of Thursday, November 29, 2001 at 12:35pm in the presence of his daughter, Kathleen green, along with Vienna McNeil, Marguerite Mc Glothlin, our beloved father, stepfather, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, friend and neighbor peacefully departed this life. Edward Nelson, son of the late Elizabeth rush Nelson and Lawrence Rainey Nelson was born June 14, 1904, in Olanta, South Carolina, one of ten children. Reared and nurtured in a Christian home, he never departed from this early training. He completed his early education at the St. John High School. In the early 1920’s, he moved with one of his brothers to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where he worked for several years. He returned to South Carolina where he met and married the late Janie L. Burgess, a teacher in the South Carolina Schools. They moved to Baltimore in 1928 and from this union five children were born, Lillie, Jonathon, James (deceased), George and Kathleen. He was employed at the Bethlehem Steel Corporation for forty-two years retiring from there in 1969. Later, her met and married the late Viola Alford and became the stepfather of Betty Gibbs, Olin Alford, Vienna Mc Neil, Willa Mae Alford (deceased) Harold Jean Alford and Hazel Jackson, Edward, along with his family joined the John Wesley United Methodist Church in August 1935. Immediately upon his becoming a member he assumed an active role in the spiritual life of the church through his affiliation with several organizations of the church. He was a member of the Willing Worker Club; the Gospel Choir for awhile until his work schedule prevented his participation. He served as a member of the Steward Board, the Golden Cross Society, and served as a member of the Finance Committee for over twenty years, a position, which he graced, with a high quality of workmanship, hallmarks of his character. He was also a 33rd degree mason.He gave to all that knew him, strength, guidance, encouragement, support and most of all love. He prayed often and prayer was the foundation of his life. He gave to his family a heritage of pride to face the world unafraid. His desire was to be the embodiment of love and respect for all of his family. Edward would be sorely missed by all that knew him. He leaves to cherish his memory: devoted sons and daughters, Lillie Myers (James), Jonathan Nelson, George Nelson (Diane), Kathleen Green (Phillip); devoted sisters Celestyne Rose (John W.), Alverta Hunt; stepchildren, Betty Gibbs, Olin Alford (Emma), Vienna McNeil (Raymond), Harold Alford, and Hazel Jackson (Charles); two special granddaughters, Marguerite McGlothlin and Gwinda Jones; a host of grandchildren (35), great-grandchildren (31), nieces, nephews and friends. Adopted as godchildren are: Glen Bonner, Rev. Vivian Jones, Sarah and Calvin Lawson, Randolph Williams and Hakimah Shariff.

Tributes

Edward C. Nelson

June 14, 1904 - November 29, 2001