***PLEASE NOTE*** Change in the day and time of the service due to inclement weather.

Tommie Watson Nelson, 94, formerly of Ridgeway passed away on Monday, January 10, 2022 at Blue Ridge Therapy Connection in Stuart, VA.

A graveside service will be held at 1 pm Wednesday, January 18, 2022 at Woodlawn Cemetery in Eden.  The family will receive friends after the service.

Tommie was born in Eden, NC on May 31, 1927, a son of Joe Henry Nelson and Nevada Keen Nelson, both deceased.  He was a US Navy veteran of World War II, proudly serving on the USS Missouri.  He was on board the USS Missouri on Sept. 2, 1945 and was present when the heads of the Allied Forces came aboard to sign the Peace Treaty, ending the war in the Pacific.  Tommie then returned to Eden where he married his childhood sweetheart Della, and the pair went on to have three children and 69 years of marriage together.

He was employed for 30 years by E.I. DuPont Co., and retired from there as a mechanic.  But Tommie's true passion was always a motorcycle.  After seeing a bike for the first time in the military, it was his number one purchase when he returned to the states and he was never without at least one from then on.  He rode his bike regularly until almost 90 years old, and his love of speed and excitement truly defined him.  He was also the family's bear hunter, having two black bear trophies displayed in his home.

Tommie is survived by his son Jerry Nelson of Murrells Inlet, SC and his daughter JaRonn Nelson of Ridgeway, VA; and his grandchildren Julie, Josh, Ashlee, Will, Keri, Katie and Chelsea; nine great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Della Nelson; his daughter, Jill Kipfinger (Ridgeway, VA) and sisters, June N. Edwards, Edythe N. Earnhardt; brothers, Herman Nelson, Eugene Nelson and Marvin Nelson.

Boone & Cooke, Inc. Funeral Home is serving the family of Mr. Nelson.