Jimmy Lynn Nelson, 84, died Friday, April 21, 2017, at the Mississippi State Veterans Home in Oxford. A public visitation will be held in West Hall at Waller Funeral Home Saturday, April 22, 2017, from 12:30 – 4 p.m. A private service will take place at a later time.

Born in Toccopola to the late James Barr Nelson and Dale Bevill Nelson, Mr. Nelson had very fond memories of his childhood at Toccapola and Oxford. He especially loved sharing his childhood adventures with his grandchildren. Mr. Nelson retired serving as Superintendent of Lafayette County Schools for 12 years. His teaching career began at Taylor School where he coached basketball and served as principal. From Taylor, he worked in the Lafayette County Schools as assistant principal, teacher and Title I coordinator before being elected superintendent. Mr. Nelson loved and dedicated himself to Lafayette Schools until his retirement.

Mr. Nelson will always be remembered by his friends and especially his family as a reserved and very honorable man. He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. His family will miss him immensely, but are so thankful for all the wonderful memories made with “Grandad”. He attended North Oxford Baptist Church and St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church.

Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Penny Rotenberry Nelson of Oxford; daughter, Lisa Wamble and her husband, Mike of Saltillo; son, Jeff Nelson and his wife, Sherry of Oxford; four grandchildren, Leigh Taylor Timmons and her husband, Andy, Mary Margaret Wamble, Jake Wamble and his fiancé, Katie Neel, John Jeffrey Nelson and his wife, Katharine and one great granddaughter, Lynleigh Logan Timmons.

The family extends a special thanks to the staff of the Mississippi State Veteran’s Home in Oxford and to Halcyon Hospice.

Memorial contributions in Mr. Nelson’s memory may be made to Anchor Baptist Church Youth Fund, 1009 Highway 7 South, Water Valley, MS 38965, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN  38105-1905 or Lafayette County Schools, 100 Commodore Drive, Oxford, MS 38655.

For additional information or to sign an online guestbook, visit www.wallerfuneralhome.com or call 662-234-7971.