Gordon Nelson Sr.

Life Remembered, A Legacy Cherished
Gordon E. Nelson, Sr., was born on September 28,1935 in Dawson, Georgia to the late Mark Nelson and Anna Bell White, known to many as "Nelly".He was relocated to Newark, NJ as a young boy and was raised by his father and stepmother Mattie Griffin. He attended the Newark School system. Gordon started his work life at age seven, working at the Farmers Market in the Ironbound section of Newark, helping the vegetable and fruit man on the horse and wagon. He worked at Feldman's Health Club where he started his lifelong enjoyment of weightlifting. He met his wife Annie R (Williamson) Nelson, whom he has been married to for 71 years. Gordon managed several softball teams in Newark and Irvington NJ. He worked many jobs to care for his large family. He spent ten years at the Griffin Piano Company and over Twenty-seven years at Anheuser-Bush until his retirement at age 55. After retirement he managed his own investment properties and his exterminating business called Nelson and Son's Exterminating Company. Gordon is a life-time member of the NAACP and the Elks Lodge#130 in Orange NJ where he held the post of chaplain for a while. Gordon was a devoted husband, loving father and a doting grandfather. He would help anyone in need,family, friends or strangers. He never walked past anyone who was asking him for a hand. Gordon joined Christ Church on Congress Street in Newark and was Baptized by Father James Kenyon on March 29, 1964. He was confirmed in the Episcopal faith by Bishop Roth. He was predeceased by his daughter Cynthia, son Steven, Brother's Mark Jr., Calvin, and Joseph Nelson, His stepmother Mattie Griffin, Sisters Ida Mae Collier, Rosa Lee Kincaid and Early Bea Whitfield. Gordon leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife Annie R (Williamson) Nelson, also known as "Terri". His children Gordon Jr., Vanessa Hill, Kevin and wife Shirely, Yvonne and husband Ronald Joseph Jr., and Derrick and wife Karen. Along with his grandchildren, Tanya Simone Nelson-Grant and Brian Nelson whom he raised, Tiffany Hill, Raissa Nelson, Kyle Nelson (Delisa), Brianna White, Gordon Nelson 3rd, Courtney Green, Kara Nelson, Anthony Nelson, Derrick Nelson, and Tori Joseph. His great-grandchildren Kamille Grant, Chelsea Grant, Kamyia Grant, Yanae Dickerson, Xavier Lawson, Mila Nelson, Shiloh Green and Ari Nelson, His sister-in-law, Rita McCollum (James), Brother-in-laws Quincy Williamson, Haneef Jawwaad and Sylvester Williamson. Also, many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. Gordon, you will be deeply missed, forever loved, we will honor your legacy and will never forget you. Rest in peace, cherished soul.