James Nelson Walker

Mr. James Nelson Walker of Brent, Alabama, passed away on November 15, 2025, at home surrounded by loved ones at the age of 85. He was born in Winchester, Tennessee.
He was preceded in death by his mother Evelyn Potts Walker, father Charles Hardy Walker, grandson James Dillon Richardson, and sister Patricia "Shrimp" Tomberlin. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Betty Jane Copeland, and his daughters Dr. Cathy Ellison (Tim) and Dr. Connie Richardson (David). He is lovingly remembered by his grandchildren David Richardson (Ashley), Loretta Parker (Sam), Eli Ellison (Emily), John Dalton Richardson (Sydney), and Keith Ellison (Dailynn). He is also remembered by his great grandchildren Louis Richardson, Daelyn Richardson, and Clara Parker, and his niece Cheri Hughes (John), nephew David Malone (Amanda), and brother-in-law Warren Tomberlin.
Nelson grew up in Lynchburg, Tennessee, where he played football for Moore County High School and met his bride, Betty Jane. He graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a Bachelor of Science in industrial engineering and worked at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville. He later began his sales career in wire forms and eventually had his own company, CatCon, Inc., which he named after his twin daughters because he always mixed up their names. He was an avid golfer and often went to Augusta, Georgia to watch the Masters. While living in Auburn, Alabama, he became a devoted Auburn University football fan and had season tickets for over 26 years, rarely missing a home game. In his later years he enjoyed travel and went to England, France, Italy, Alaska, and Hawaii while working on his "bucket" list. He attended Brent Methodist Church where he was known for his sense of humor and his love of family. Nelson will be dearly missed by his family and friends.
Pallbearers are Eli Ellison, Keith Ellison, Samuel Parker, David Richardson, D.J. Richardson, and John Dalton Richardson.
Honorary pallbearers are Tim Ellison, Tom Copeland, George Conwell, Preston James, Mike McCary and Warren Tomberlin.
Funeral services will be held at Noon on Tuesday, November 18th, at Brent Methodist Church, with Rev. Jim Lavender officiating. Graveside service will be held at 11am on Wednesday, November 19th, at Lynchburg Cemetery, in Lynchburg, Tennessee, with Rockco Funeral Home of Centreville, Alabama, and Jennings-Moore-Cortner Funeral Home of Lynchburg, Tennessee, directing.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to George Conwell, Bettylene McCary, ACG Hospice, Bibb Medical Center, and Brent Methodist Church for their wonderful care and support.