Nelson Joseph Younce Sr.

1943 - 2025

We begin to
Remember not just
That you passed, but
That you lived.
Your life has given us
Memories too beautiful to forget ...
Sunday dinners after church, afternoon picnics beside the river, camping in tents at Hiawassee Lake while scrambling eggs over the fire for breakfast, lake fishing for bass and brim, sitting for hours listening to family and friends play and sing bluegrass, making homemade ice cream and grilling hamburgers for every special occasion, staying up way past midnight on Christmas Eve to put together a bicycle, going to NASCAR and dirt races (he and "Hon" thought they needed to wear yellow work helmets), coon huntin' in the dead of winter, growing tomatoes and potatoes in his garden, reading books he checked out at the library, and working on many jobs and projects … that was our Nelson. His brothers-in-law often told tall tales of Nelson driving cars fast and of them sowing their wild oats in his younger days – good times that will never be forgotten. Nelson was all about "family" and was always there when anyone needed him. He was a faithful, honorable husband, father, brother, uncle and friend.
Nelson Joseph Younce Sr. was born to Ruby Ingram and Arthur Younce on April 9, 1943. He and his siblings, Raymond Younce (Joyce), Shirley Mann (Jimmy), Mary Wilson (Charlie), grew up in Young Harris, Ga., and attended school in Hiawassee. Later, his family moved to the Reece Farm in Andrews where Nelson and his siblings worked on the farm and settled down as a family. He loved his siblings and lately talked about their times growing up together often.
As a young man, Nelson was smitten and hoodwinked when feisty Shelby Postell caught his eye. Nelson often recalled their young dating story when he would come home from work and Shelby would say, "You know I haven't eaten supper," whereupon nearly every day he would then take her up to Berdie's Topton Drive-In for a hot dog and a chocolate milk.
In their younger days, they enjoyed bowling; just the other day he and his niece had a match at table top bowling in the Murphy Rehab rec room; Shelby kept score and, of course, Nelson won. They were constantly together and a romantic "through thick and thin" couple. "Hon," as they called each other, made our family get-togethers hilarious with laughter at their antics. They liked playing "Bad Santa Bingo" on Christmas Day and "Left, Right, Center" on New Year's Eve. They enjoyed years of watching fireworks on the Fourth of July and traveling to the beach for vacation trips. They both added the "fun" to our family's get-togethers.
Nelson cared for Shelby with much resilience and love until his very last breath Friday, Aug. 1, 2025. They were married 62 years and Nelson's last words to Shelby Thursday evening were, "I love you, Hon. I'll see you tomorrow."
Nelson had two boys, Nelson Younce Jr. and Jeremy Younce. He loved going fishing with these boys, and watching football, baseball and racing with them on TV. Nelson enjoyed talking construction work with anyone, his sons fondly remember working for him and will testify to his strong obligation to his job. They continually laugh about his fiery, stoic arms crisscrossing sharply when something didn't go his way and him saying, "No. No. We aren't doing that!" They would often be heard telling their dad, "You can't fire a man when he's already Quit!" He was a role model that they looked up to for sure … as well as the brunt of their countless jokes over the many times they "quit" on him! (They did not, however, take up his love of Vienna sausages, potted meat and crackers for lunch!)
Nelson was also "dad" to his many nieces and nephews who loved him dearly and to whom he gave his time, dedication and love freely.
Throughout Nelson's life, he worked in supervisory positions on major construction jobs in Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. He supervised the construction site of Marta in Atlanta when it was first being built. Working with heavy machinery required constant attention to safety protocol, Nelson was awarded several prominent safety awards during his career which showed the care and concern he had for his workers. Still at his age, Nelson kept his interests keen; he volunteered his time recently to talk to the students in the "Construction/Heavy Equipment Operation" class at Tri-County Community College. They compared the "old" with the "new," and he worked the heavy excavation equipment simulators which he loved.
Nelson's priority and greatest joy was "family." He had a great impact on the ones he loved, and he was always helping, always caring, always generous, and always volunteering his time for his family – a tremendous source of strength and support. His love for his family will forever be cherished – the devoted husband, the loving father, brother and uncle, and cherished friend. He will be deeply missed.
Later, family and friends will remember Nelson's life in celebration of the very good man that he was.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025, at Townson-Rose Funeral Home Chapel in Murphy with the Rev. Steve Bettis and Pastor Chris West officiating.
The family will receive friends from 2-3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 10, prior to the service.
Townson-Rose Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.