James "Jim" Allen Nelson

James Allen Nelson (Jim) of Roanoke, Virginia passed away peacefully on May 25, 2025, at the age of 83. He was born in Halifax County, Virginia on March 28, 1942, to the late Robie James Nelson and the late Lorene Gravitt Nelson. He was predeceased in death by his sister, Shellie Nelson Bellairs, brother-in-law Delbert Victor Bellairs, and sister-in-law Sharon Kizer Nelson.

Jim graduated from Oak Hill High School, Granville County, NC in 1959. He served in the National Guard before moving to Roanoke in 1968 where he married the love of his life, Vivian Davis Nelson, on July 20, 1968. He was an insurance agent for United Family Life Insurance Agency for many years. He became a member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stagehands Union, Local Chapter 55 in 1981, and was elected as Business Agent in 1986 where he served for 37 years until he retired in December 2023.

Leaving behind to cherish his memory are his wife, Vivian Davis Nelson, a son, Jeffrey Allen Nelson (Fiancé-April Feeser), a daughter, Laura Nelson Woods and husband Patrick, a brother, Ira Brann Nelson, sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Ellen and Wright Sizemore, and his three precious granddaughters he cherished, Mollie Mckenzie Woods, Emily Anne Woods (Fiancé-Bradley St.Clair), Ashley Paige Woods, and a number of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family would like to express their sincere thanks to Good Samaritan Hospice, nurses Karen Fujiwara and Clara Micolupo, chaplain, Lisa Vineyard, and the rest of the wonderful staff, too many to list, who have provided love and support to our family during this time. In lieu of flowers, the family requests if you wish to donate, please consider the Parkinson’s Foundation (give.michaeljfox.org), or a charity of your choice in his memory.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at 2:00 p.m., at Simpson Funeral Home on Peters Creek Road in Roanoke, Virginia with the Reverend Rhon Williams, Bonsack Baptist Church, officiating. A private burial for the family will take place in Aaron’s Creek cemetery in South Boston, Virginia at a later time. The family will receive friends at Simpson Funeral Home on May 29, 2025, from 1 to 2 p.m. prior to the service. Arrangements by Simpson Funeral Home Peters Creek Chapel. (540)366-0707.