Carlee Nelson

Carlee Nelson was born Nov. 23, 1929 in a small community surrounding Falls County, TX.  He gained his heavenly wings early Wednesday morning, June 7, 2023.  Carlee was the third of eleven children born to David Jefferson Nelson and Etta Hall Nelson.  As a young man, he met and married his love, Mary Ethel Carter on May 14, 1949.  To this union four children were born; Carl, Ray, Jimmy, and Joyce (Tena).  Carlee and Mary Ethel enjoyed 64 wonderful years of marriage before her demise in 2013.

The happy couple moved to Midland in 1950 and he soon found work doing odd jobs before working at Core Laboratories where he remained as a Lab Tech for 35 years.  Carlee was very industrious and had a work ethic that anyone would envy. He always wanted more and had a sense of pride knowing that he was an independent Black man during times when it wasn’t common for many African Americans to own their own business.  In 93 years, he often stated that he’s “seen a lot come and a lot go”.  In addition to his regular job, he was self-employed and owned Nelson’s Janitorial & Carpet Cleaning Service for 45 years where he hired many who received their first start in the work force; his legacy continues with Triangle Mobile Home Park and he also dabbled in real estate.  In his later years, he enjoyed “pittling” (as he called it) in the country where he has a pecan orchard and won several prizes.  As a retired man you could find him on his tractor at the garden or at home with his feet propped up on his ottoman.   Carlee enjoyed volunteering with Christmas in Action, The Habitat Resale Store and spending time at family reunions and dinners out in the country.  Family is everything to the Nelson’s and Carter’s.  There were 11 Nelson children and 15 Carter children so you can imagine that the smallest of occasions quickly became a family reunion.

Bro. Nelson was a Deacon at church and he and his wife were faithful members of Wayside COGIC under the pastorage of Rev. Kenneth Weatherspoon and were instrumental in spearheading several of the church’s projects.  After his wife passed away, he attended Faith Temple COGIC under the pastorage of Rev. W. C. Kenan where he wanted to be near and worship with his children during his later years.  At Faith Temple he enjoyed being a member in the Men’s Sunday School Class.

Preceding him in death are his parents, David & Etta Nelson; Father & Mother-In-Law, Fred & Lula Mae Carter; His wife, Mary Ethel Nelson; a son Carl Nelson, his wife Lillie and their daughter Pisces.  Brothers, Troy Nelson and Thomas Nelson; Sisters, Oblee Monroe & Annie Wright.  Brothers-In-Law, Fred Carter, and Alvin Carter.  Sisters-in-Law, Allene Taylor, Ora Bess, Lucille Gibson, and Blanche Nedd.

Carlee was affectionately called “Brother” by his siblings and is survived by his brother, Roy Nelson (Dorothy) of Waller, TX; Sisters, Mable Smith, Dorothy Ellis and Emma Threat of Midland, TX; Julia Swain (Ernest, Jr.) of Lubbock, TX; and Erma Morrow of Austin, TX.  Brothers-in-Laws, Richard Carter of Midland, TX; Earl Carter (Reba) of Parker, Arizona; and Rayford Carter (Chris) of Austin, TX.  Sisters-in-Laws, Doris McDonald, Shirley Taylor, Rosie Johnson, Carolyn Nelson and Sandra Thurman (John) all of Midland, TX.  He was lovingly cared for by his children Ray, Jimmy (Katrice), Joyce and their families.  Carlee will continue to be missed by his immediate family along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, church members and friends.

Viewing will be held on Friday, June 16^th at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory located 3800 N. Big Spring St. Midland, TX from 4pm – 8pm.  Interment will be held Saturday morning, June 17^th at Resthaven Memorial 4616 N. Big Spring St., Midland, TX at 9:00am followed by a Homegoing Celebration at 10:00am at Faith Temple COGIC 1605 N. Terrell St. with his grandson, Ji Nelson of Riverside, CA serving as eulogist.  Live-stream of the service will be available via the church website.  Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.  Arrangements are entrusted to Nalley Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory, Midland, TX.  Special thank you to Simon, Rosie and Jennifer with Interim Healthcare, to the nurses at MMH 7^th floor and to Hospice Midland.  Mr. Nelson had a saying that we all can adopt: “Do the best you can, while you can”.   Although he’s no longer with us physically, we will continue to make him proud as we strive every day to do the best we can while we can.

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