Thomas Nelson Jr.

Thomas Beasley Nelson, Jr., 89, of Elizabethtown, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 9, 2021.  Tom was born at Lake Waccamaw to his parents, Thomas Nelson, Sr. and Mildred West Nelson.  He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and then graduated from East Carolina University with a degree in History.  He taught high school in Jacksonville, NC and later became a school bus driver instructor for the NCDMV, from which he retired in 1988.  Tom was an avid fisherman and hunter and loved to read.  He was an active member of Trinity United Methodist Church, where he previously served on the Staff Parish Relations and Trustees Committees and was a member of the United Methodist Men’s organization.  He was known for his quirky sense of humor and his cooking, especially his sweet potato pies.  Always generous with lending a helping hand in his community, he will be missed by everyone who knew and loved him.

He is predeceased by his sisters, Patricia Giles and Nina N. Carlson. Tom is survived by his wife, Claire Pippin Nelson, his son Thomas Beasley Nelson III (Stacey) of Raleigh, his brother Donald M. Nelson (Sylvia) of Lenoir, his sister Mary Anne Ward (Ken) of Raleigh, and two granddaughters Sydney Nelson and Ashley Nelson.

A visitation will take place on Monday, July 19, 2021, at Trinity United Methodist Church from 10:00am - 11:00am, with a memorial service following at 11:00am.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Trinity United Methodist  901 W. Broad St., PO Box 759, Elizabethtown, NC 28337  or Boys & Girls Home of NC 400 Flemiington Drive, PO Box 127, Lake Waccamaw, NC 28450.