Wallace R. Nelson

Obituary of Wallace R. Nelson

On Friday, February 13, 2026, the pillar of our family, Wallace Reed Nelson, left his earthly life to rise into heaven and reunite with his love, Grace Anne (Eifort) Nelson. Wally led a life of 98 years of faith in service to his Lord and Savior. Affectionately known as Wally, Dad, Pop Pop, Granddaddy, Uncle Foot, Coach, and most fondly from his forever valentine, Footsie. Wallace Reed was born on November 8, 1927, in the namesake neighborhood of Nelsontown in Kingsport, Tennessee to Reba Holmes Barker and Arthur Lee Nelson. The impoverished hometown, Wally lived through and survived the Great Depression with his older sisters, June Nelson Luster Roberts, Yvonne Rice, Charlene Mellons, and younger brother, Ralph Anthony Nelson.

Wallace Reed attended and graduated from Shoemaker High School in Gate City, Virginia. He was a multi-sport star athlete and hardworking scholar in high school. He attended Lees McRae Presbyterian Junior College in Banner Elk, North Carolina where he completed his two-year degree which became the first step toward broader education and professional ambition. Wallace earned his Bachelor of Science degree from East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tennessee. He was a 3-sport star in baseball, basketball, and football until his graduation in 1952. He had his first coaching position post-graduation at Chattanooga Junior College.

Wally and Grace then moved to Nashville where they began their family with the births of their eldest daughter Rebecca "Becky" Grace in March of 1954 and their only son, Reed Wallace "Hoss" in July 1955. While in Nashville, Wallace Nelson obtained his Master of Arts in Physical Education from Vanderbilt University in the George Peabody College for Teachers in 1958. While Wally searched for a permanent job, he accepted the football head coach position at Richlands High School, NC while Grace, Becky, and Reed lived a couple hours away in West End with Gracie`s mom. After one football season, the family moved together to Abingdon, Virginia after accepting the head coach positions for the William King Abingdon High School`s football, baseball, basketball, and track and field teams. The family grew with the births of their daughters Melissa Anne (1959), Mary Beth (1965), and Amanda Jo (1969). During his time at Abingdon High, Wally coached with a dear friend, Ted Ingle. The Nelson and Ingle families began a special lifelong connection of friendship amongst the parents and children alike.

In 1969, following a decade of multiple championships and continued success, Wallace Reed resigned from Abingdon High and the family embarked on a pivotal relocation to Vineland, New Jersey after he accepted new coaching and education positions at Cumberland County College. There he built phenomenal athletic programs in baseball, basketball, and track and field, in addition to a dynamic program for South Jersey Special Olympics. Wally devoted the same energy and attention to every athlete and team recognizing their beauty and brilliance. He saw the potential for development and triumph, regardless of ability for each player. For decades of teaching, coaching, and training, his natural gift of truly seeing and treating everyone as children of God, led him to a career and legacy of greatness and success.

Wally was a member, Deacon, and Elder at the First Presbyterian Church in Vineland for over 5 decades. He led his life as a devout Christian serving at the Church`s Soup Kitchen, and through his weekly visits to the Church shut-in congregants. Wally and Grace`s faith could truly be seen and felt both at Church, and in their everyday lives, as they lived authentically and truthfully. One of Wally`s personal passions was fishing with his son Reed and son-in-law, Marc Grotti on his 20' boat in the Atlantic. Even his a personal pastime, he received several special fishing awards, including catching a record-breaking striped bass in South Jersey. In his teaching and coaching success, Wallace Reed Nelson, led his teams to winning seasons, record-breaking triumphs, and countless championships leaving a phenomenal legacy. He was inducted into Abingdon High and Cumberland County`s Athletic Hall of Fame, and also South Jersey Special Olympics. More important than accolades, to the present day, Coach Nelson receives continued and regular correspondence with countless former students and athletes, representing the importance of his influence and dedication to each and every one.

Wallace is survived by his children, Rebecca Grace Nelson, Reed Wallace Nelson and his wife, Jerrilyn, Melissa Anne Bender, and her husband John, MaryBeth Grotti and her husband Marc, and Amanda Jo Morgan all of Vineland, NJ. He is also survived by his 13 grandchildren whom he loved dearly, Madeline Moore Lucas, Ashton (Pearson) and Jessica Nelson, Sarah Hope, Melissa Siegel, Natalie and Michael Bender, Mitchell, Marco, and Morgan (Jacquet) Grotti, Cody and Colby Morgan, and 18 great-grandchildren. Wallace was predeceased by his parents Reba and Arthur; his wife, Grace Anne; each of his 4 siblings; 2 great-grandchildren, Isaiah Ellington Hope (Sarah) and Geo I. Grotti (Mitchell).

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in her memory to the Cumberland County SPCA, 1244 Delsea Drive, Vineland, NJ 08360 or the First Presbyterian Church, 800 E Landis Avenue, Vineland, NJ 08361.

A viewing will be held Tuesday, February 17th from 10am-12pm with a service immediately following at First Presbyterian Church, Eighth St. and Landis Ave., Vineland, NJ. An inurnment service will also be held in West End, NC at the family`s gravesite at a later date.

A church visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 17th from 10am to 11am followed by

A funeral service at 11am from First Presbyterian Church, 800 E. Landis Avenue, Vineland.

ARRANGEMENTS are under the supervision of Rone Funeral Service, 1110 East Chestnut Avenue, Vineland, NJ 08360

To send online condolences please visit our website at www.RONEFUNERALSERVICE.com