Francis Adrian Nelson's Obituary
Francis (Frankie) Adrian Nelson departed the world on Wednesday August 13th, on his 90th birthday. He was the youngest son of Jennes and Mildred Nelson born on August 13, 1935. He was the last of his siblings, Jennes, Louis, Harold and Betty. He was born in Ripley MD where he lived most of his life. Frankie moved to Marion, VA when he married Rose Greer. Five of their children were born in VA prior to Frankie and Rose moving to Ripley, where Rose and Frankie lived the remainder of their lives.
Frankie was preceded in death by his wife Rose Lee Nelson (Greer) and his grandson Noah Nelson. He is survived by his seven children. Terry and his wife Peggy, Teresa (Molly) and her husband James Buchanan, Jerry and his wife Vallire, Randy and his wife Tricia, Michael (Mike) Nelson, Robin (Bobbie) Nelson and Sharon and her husband Herman Lasure. Frankie was blessed with 7 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.
Frankie, Rose and their children were a part of the start of the original Ripley Community Church (Bethel Baptist now) when it was started in the basement at the home of the Pipes family in the mid/late 60's. Many times in the 70's after service, he would have the church buses bring all the children over, to the Nelson home, for homemade ice cream or watermelon. He enjoyed keeping all the buses in good working order.
Frankie worked at NOS Indian Head a few years before working at Millard's Garage. The back bay area was his domain where he worked for nearly 30 years. He always kept candy in his toolbox for when his first grandsons Josh and Jamie came for a visit. When Epps Millard closed the garage in the early 80's, he built one at his home where he worked until he retired. After retiring he started raising cattle and doing woodworking for craft shows for several years. A few years after the great grandchildren came along, he gave all that up. He loved playing cards with family, and he certainly enjoyed his stinky (his grandchildren’s reference) cigars. He loved it when family would come for cookouts. He would fix ribs on the big barbeque pit that he built for his large family and friends. He loved working in his garden that he planted every year. The last few years he would say all winter "I don't think I will plant a garden this year" but would still plant it anyway when Spring came. In the last few years, he really loved reminiscing about his younger days when someone dropped by.
He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Welcome. He loved his Church family especially his adopted daughter Brenda Kitts and granddaughter Leah Jacobs.
A visitation will be held on Friday, August 22, 2025 from 6PM to 8PM at the Raymond Funeral Service, P.A., 5636 Washington Avenue, La Plata, Maryland 20646. Additional visitation at the funeral home on Saturday, August 23, 2025 from 9AM until time of service at 10AM with Reverend Mark Hashagen officiating.
Pallbearers will be Joshua Nelson, James (Jamie) Buchanan, Timothy Nelson, Daniel Nelson, Chris Dobry and Leo Peters. In loving memory, honorary pallbearer Noah Nelson.
Interment to follow at Trinity Memorial Gardens, 3221 Mattawoman-Beantown Road, Waldorf, Maryland 20601 (11:30AM).
Memorial contributions can be made to the Cancer Society or to the First Baptist Church of Welcome.
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