Eli Jefferson (E.J) Nelson, age 82, of Selma, passed away on Saturday, February 12, 2011.

Graveside services will be held 2:00 pm on Thursday, February 17th at New Live Oak cemetery with Luther Holder, Worshipful Master (pro tem), Selma Fraternal Lodge #926 officiating and Lawrence Brown-Service Funeral Home directing. Military honors will be presented by Maxwell Air Force Base Honor Guard.

E.J. Nelson served his country in the United States Air Force. He was a Korean and Vietnam war veteran. He was also an active member of the VFW Post 3016, member of the American Legion, and a Master Mason of the Selma Fraternal Lodge #926. After he retired from the Air Force he completed his degree in criminal justice at Wallace Community College Selma. He was deeply loved and will be missed by his family and friends.

Mr. Nelson is preceded in death by his wife: Orenita Sprinkle Nelson; daughter: Vicky (Fred) Nelson Boddie; two brothers , and one sister.

He is survived by his wife: Betty Dumas Nelson; daughter: Theresa (DeWitt) Nelson Yost; and sister: Louise Nelson Harris, six grandchildren: Jeff (Tracy) Boddie, Jeremy (Lisa) Boddie,Tom (Melinda) Swarts, Jason Boddie, Troy Yost, Jessica Yost and six great-grandchildren: Justin Boddie, Brandon Boddie, Jeffery Boddie, Brittany Boddie, Corey Boddie, Kirsten Boddie.

Honorary pallbearers are: Jeff Boddie, Jeremy Boddie, Tom Swarts, Jason Boddie, Troy Yost, Jessica Yost, George Dumas, Glenn Dumas and Jerry Dumas.

Please visit http://www.lawrencebrownservice.com to make online condolences to the family.