Billy Joe Nelson, Sr.

Billy Joe Nelson, Sr. was born Sept. 24, 1935, to Lillie Mae and George Alvin Nelson and passed from this life, on a bright and sunny morning after Christmas, Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023, age 88 years, 3 months and 2 days, in Mississippi County, Arkansas. He was preceded in death by his mother; father; brothers, Malon Ray Nelson and Donald Maurice Nelson; sons, Terry and Jerry Nelson; and grandson, Mark Alan Nelson. His stepfather John Milton Bunch played a significant role in this upbringing and provided a role model in which influenced his character and development in the man he would become.

He conquered many challenges in life, as evidence to his genuine character. Very early on, he lost his brother to poliomyelitis, only to fall ill from the same virus. He spent a great deal of his youth alone in The Shriners Childrens Hospital, St. Louis, Mo., pediatric orthopedic unit. After overcoming a disabling and life-threatening disease, he became an avid outdoorsman with interminable energy. Early in life he enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping. Breeding, raising and showing registered Black Angus cattle, both state and regionally was a hobby he relished for years earning trophies and ribbons from events across the southern United States. On his farm he managed a number of other animals including hogs, turkeys, chickens, goats, horses, and always a large and year-round garden.

Farming however was his lifelong passion. He planted and harvested more than 60 crops of cotton, wheat, soybeans and rice. He loved all aspects of agriculture and adored being outdoors early in the morning until the day was complete… “from can till can’t.” He took great pride in financial affairs and completed many college hours in various accounting curriculum. He excelled in all areas of mathematics. He was community minded and assisted in the creation and operations of the Yarbro Cooperative Water Association in 1967 which continues to serve the community today. He was generous in a very private way, sometimes loudly humorous and loving and empathic, and always paying attention. During the crop year of 1955, he purchased a 114a International one row mechanical cotton picker mounted on a Farmall “M” tractor, transported both on flatbed truck and commercially picked cotton from Forrest City to back home in Yarbro. He paid the loan to purchase both picker and tractor in its entirety in less than four months. He drove and serviced the picker, Lurlene pulled cotton trailers with their first-born riding alongside in a Chevrolet Bel Air.

Later in life, granddaughter-in-law, Kinsey Nelson, RN played a particularly important role in his health and well-being.

He is survived by his wife, Eva Lurlene Nelson, of 72 years; brother, Milton Ray Bunch of Bella Vista; sister, Jonnie Fay Bunch of Bella Vista; son Billy Joe Nelson, Jr. and wife Karen, of Jonesboro, and son, John Alan Nelson and wife Angie Winters Nelson; grandson, John David Nelson and wife Kinsey, of Blytheville, Brett Alan Nelson and wife Amee, of Bentonville; granddaughter, Kathryn Ann Turnbo and husband Kirk Turnbo of Cabot; eight nieces and nephews; five great-grandchildren and many friends.

As life moves on, events and relationships around us change, one thing will remain certain, he will be missed.