Omar Nelms (my grandfather). Born May 28, 1906 in Avera, Georgia and died June 2, 1985 in Belle Glade, Florida. Prior to his retirement, he was employed by the Palm Beach County School System as a school bus driver and a custodian for 30 years.
Omar (known as Pop-Pop) married Alice Liller Mercer from Wheeler County, Georgia.
Children of Omar Nelms and Alice Mercer:
1. Nelson Nelms (my dad)
2. DC Nelms
Omar was the son of Thomas Turin Nelms and Dellar LaFavor. Thomas was born Dec. 17, 1877 and died May 2, 1945. Dellar was born Aug. 8, 1886 and died Feb. 6, 1953. They were married in Jefferson County, Georgia on Oct. 7, 1902.
Children of Thomas Turin Nelms and Dellar LaFavor:
1. Omar Nelms
2. Troy Nelms
3. Samuel David Nelms
4. Arthur Nelms
5. Hugh Dorsey Nelms
6. Henry Nelms
7. Paul Nelms
8. Tom Watson Nelms
9. Gertrude Nelms Cravey
10. Rudelle Nelms
Thomas Turin Nelms was the son of Henry Harrison Nelms and Eliza Jane Harris.
Thomas Turin & Dellar (LaFavor) Nelms
(my great-grandparents)
Alice Mercer Nelms (my grandmother) was born in Wheeler County Georgia and moved to Belle Glade with her husband Omar Nelms and 2 sons. She retired from the Palm Beach County Schools as a lunchroom supervisor and was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Belle Glade.
She died on Thursday, March 11, 1993 in Macon, Georgia. Interment was in the Foreverglades Mausoleum in Belle Glad, Floridae beside her husband Omar.
She was the daughter of James Henry Mercer and Mahalia Jane McConnell.
Nelson Nelms (my father) was born Aug. 4, 1930. He married Frances McAllister on Dec. 19, 1952 in First Baptist Church Belle Glade, Florida. She was the daughter of Strying McAllister and Alene Lumpkin. Frances was born March 8, 1933 and died April 29, 2002.
Children of Nelms & Frances (McAllister) Nelms:
1. Teresa Bonita Nelms
2. Pamela Kay Nelms
3. Christina Nelms
4. Alice Alene Nelms
Memories of Pop-Pop Nelms - Omar Nelms
Pop-Pop Nelms was a very well respected member of the Belle Glade Community. He was both a school bus driver and custodian for Palm Beach County School System. The kids at the schools all nicknamed him "Shorty". I was always "proud" of him and while I attended high school it never bothered me that I would meet him in the halls and he was a custodian. In fact, one year the High school yearbook was dedicated to Pop-Pop because he was so well loved and respected by the students at Belle Glade High School.
As he aged he began to have mini-strokes which was effecting him both mentally and physically. My husband and I rented a house directly across the street from him and Granny and were able to keep an eye on him when he would stray away from the house.
On Sunday June 1985, when my husband and I returned from church, my Granny called for us and said she could not wake Pop-Pop up. They both had laid down for a nap and he had passed away in his sleep.
By: Teresa Nelms Wetherington
Date: March 5, 2006
Nelson & Frances Nelms
Married: Dec. 19, 1952
(Son of Omar & Alice Nelms)
U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946 Record
about Hugh D Nelms
Name: Hugh D Nelms
Birth Year: 1918
Race: White, citizen
Nativity State or Country: Georgia
State: Georgia
County or City: Jackson
Enlistment Date: 25 Nov 1940
Enlistment State: Florida
Enlistment City: Lake City
Branch: Infantry
Branch Code: Infantry
Grade: Private
Grade Code: Private
Term of Enlistment: One year enlistment
Component: National Guard (Officers, Warrant Officers, and Enlisted Men)
Source: National Guard
Education: Grammar school
Civil Occupation: Automobile Serviceman
Marital Status: Single, without dependents
Height: 70
Weight: 160
U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946 Record
about Paul Nelms
Name: Paul Nelms
Birth Year: 1921
Race: White, citizen
Nativity State or Country: Georgia
State: Georgia
County or City: Montgomery
Enlistment Date: 24 Jun 1942
Enlistment State: Georgia
Enlistment City: Fort Mcpherson Atlanta
Branch: Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA
Branch Code: Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA
Grade: Private
Grade Code: Private
Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law
Component: Selectees (Enlisted Men)
Source: Civil Life
Education: 1 year of high school
Civil Occupation: Automobile Serviceman
Marital Status: Single, without dependents
Height: 67
Weight: 123
Omar & Troy Nelms
(Sons of Thomas Turin Nelms)
Memories of Granny Nelms (Alice Mercer Nelms)
I was Granny Nelms "favorite" granddaughter. My sister Pam and I would spend many Friday nights with her and Pop-Pop Nelms. She had a thing about "hair washing" and she gave me my first hair cut which made my parents furious!
Granny was an active member of First Baptist Church were she taught me Sunday School as a small child. She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star and also Belle Glade Garden Club.
By occupation, Granny was the cafeteria supervisor in Belle Glade and South Bay, Florida schools. Needless to say...she was a GREAT cook!
She led an active life and her biggest physical problem was that of Arthritis. Prior to her death she had both hips and knees replaced. She passed away up in Macon, Georgia in a nursing home while stayinng with her yougest son D.C. Nelms
