Ken Nelson

Kenneth Warren Nelson, 83, of Bainbridge, GA, passed away Thursday, May 28, 2015 at his residence. At Ken's request, no services are planned. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Bainbridge-Decatur County Humane Society, 1250 Cox Ave., Bainbridge, GA 39819, or you can plant a tree in memory of a loved one. Ken was born January 7, 1932 in Florala, AL, the only child of George Warren Nelson and Hazel Faye Coogle Nelson. A graduate of Pensacola High School, he lettered in football and track and was the ping-pong champion. Ken met his wife, Catherine Ann Battles while attending Florida State University, they married on June 10, 1954. For the next two years they continued their studies and graduated in 1956, both honor students and both with degrees of Batchelor of Music Education. After serving in the Air Force as a test pilot, Mr. Nelson and his family moved to Bainbridge where he taught music education and along with G. Frank Battles, opened a business for the sale of pianos, organs, and music supplies. They divided the business in 1964 and he continued to operate as Ken Nelson Music Co. He enjoyed the Bainbridge Little Theatre where he served as lead in many plays. Along with Kitty Willis, Ken sang in a gospel duet at many churches. He was a member of the First Baptist Church where he was a member of the Baraca Sunday School Class. Survivors include his daughters, Pamela Nelson Collins and her spouse Michael of Athens, GA, and Susan Nelson White and her spouse Gary of Bainbridge; and grandchildren, Melanie Mae Irwin and her spouse Ben of Ft. Myers, FL, Savannah Kathleen Collins Lovering and her spouse Jonas of Athens, GA, and Naomi Renee Coursey Baldwin and her spouse Danny of Atlanta, GA. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Catherine Battles Nelson whom he cared for during her extended illness.