Joe Louis Nelson

Joe Louis Nelson, 79, a resident of Cairo, died November 7, 2015 at Daystar Nursing Facility. He was born May 15, 1936 to the late Thornton Sr. and Willie Wynn Nelson.

He attended St. Columbus Catholic School and Cairo Public Schools in Cairo, IL.
He was employed by Illinois Department of Transportation until he later started his own cement and construction business. Joe worked in construction until his health began to fail. He was the first black in many years to own a full service station in the city. Joe was also involved in politics as precinct committeeman for Ward 3 in Cairo.

Joe was a member of the Holy City COGIC and later joined First Central Missionary Baptist Church in Cairo.

He was united in marriage to Geraldine Carlton Nelson. In addition to raising their own children they were also foster parents to over 20 other children.

Joe Louis was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Sabrina Denise Carlton; three sisters, Corrinne Donnell Nelson, Mary Nelson, and Willie Jean Nelson; three brothers, Thornton Nelson, Jr., Fred Nelson and Narvell Peter Nelson.

He is survived by his wife of 49 ½ years, Geraldine Carlton Nelson; four sons, Edgar (Debra) Nelson of Gary, IN, Leslie Nelson of Phoenix, AZ, Rev. Lorenzo (Serina) Nelson and Brian Nelson, both of Cairo, IL; five daughters, Sandra (Harold Sr.) Frank and Muriel Wilcher of Gary, IN, Regina (Timothy) Brown, Deborah (Bernard) Brown and Pamela Carlton all of Cairo, IL and Renata (Vernon) Moss of Mounds, IL; Three adopted children, Douglas Nelson, Quavaline Nelson, and Destiny Nelson all of Cairo. Joe also leaves to cherish his memories, two sisters, Ollie Mae Williams of Louisville, KY and Dorothy Mae (Clinton) Jackson of Fayetteville, NC; 22 grandchildren and a host of great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and other relatives. Joe will be missed by the residents and staff of Daystar and especially by his close friend, Linda Jones.

Friends may call Saturday, November 14, 2014 from 11:00 a. m. until the funeral hour of 12:00 P. M. at First Central Missionary Baptist Church in Cairo with the pastor, Rev. Lorenzo Nelson, Jr. officiating.

Interment will follow in the Green Lawn Cemetery in Villa Ridge, with the Williams Funeral Home of Charleston in charge of arrangements.