Chester Nelson

NELSON, Mr. Chester Ray - Age 65, passed away Saturday, March 7, 2009 at Hurley Medical Center. Family hour 10AM Friday, March 13, 2009 at Grace Emmanuel Baptist Church, 3502 Lapeer Rd. with funeral service commencing immediately at 11AM. Pastor Marvin A. Jennings, Sr. officiating. Interment Great Lakes National Cemetery, G-4200 Belford Rd., Holly, Michigan. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10AM Friday. Mr. Nelson will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 12Noon-8PM Thursday. Mr. Chester Ray Nelson was born March 10, 1943 in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Thomas “TC” Coulter and Henrietta P. Nelson. He was raised in Tollette, Arkansas, which is where he spent most of his life. He later joined the U.S. Marine Corp. In 1999, he became a member of another family, Grace Emmanuel Baptist Church, where in his words, “There’s a lot of love in this church”. Mr. Nelson loved his family, working with his hands, listening to his blues and eating sweets, especially cookies and ice cream. He had a wonderful infectious smile and a great sense of humor. Chester was a kind, quiet and gentle man. He will be sadly missed by all who truly knew him. Mr. Chester R. Nelson leaves to cherish his memory: wife, Bonita L. (Clarke) Nelson; stepson, Trevor Clarke of Flint; grandchildren, DeMichael Jones of Flint, Ari and Zoe Clarke both of Swartz Creek, MI; sister, Debra Miller of Champaign, IL; brother, Joseph (Martha) Miller of Flint; a host of nieces including special nieces, Celeste, Brianna and Rhonda Clarke all of Flint; a host of nephews including special nephews, Charles (Seneca) Jr., Nathaniel, Justin and Micah Clarke all of Flint; 3 aunts, Ceola Nichols of Maryvale, IN, Ruth and Cora Coulter both of Flint, MI; 2 uncles, Grady and Troy Coulter both of Alexandria, LA; a host of cousins, including, Gene (Vivian) Stuart of Flint, Venera (Al) Jones of Flint, Wynona (Tyrone) Nichols of Gary, IN, Erskine Nichols of Mesa, AZ, Larry Nichols of Minneapolis, MN; special cousins, Min. Rita Crofton-Shears, Leticia Crompton, Cornell “Red” Crofton and Bonnie Crofton all of Bakersfield, CA, Jerry (Donald) Charles of Inglewood, CA; mother-in-law, Modessa R. Clarke of Flint; 2 sisters-in-law, Barbara (Willis) Lewis and Valeria Clarke both of Flint; 4 brothers-in-law, Min. Charles (Cynthia) Clarke of Flint, Min. Dale (Daisy) Clarke of Detroit; Fred (Angela) Clarke, Jr. of Columbus, OH, Pastor David (Michelle) Clarke, Sr. of Kathleen, GA; a host of other relatives and friends including special friends, Tencil “Temp Weatherspoon of Toledo, OH, Clifton Martin, Lenzie Gates, Bernard Smith, Leroy Azard, Alvin Clarke all of Flint, Roy Lee “Uncle Dick” Davis of Mineral Springs, AR; Mrs. Daisy Evans and Mrs. Ethel Lewis both of Flint. Mr. Nelson was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents and father-in-law. The family would like to express special thanks to Pastor Marvin A. Jennings, Sr. and the Grace Emmanuel Baptist Church family, Hurley Medical Center, CCU including, Paul and Rita, PCU staff on 4E and the staff of Dr. Mousa Mohamed.

Chester Nelson

March 10, 1943 - March 7, 2009