Cecil Bernard Bell Nelson, 73, of San Mateo, entered the sunset of life on Sunday, May 13, 2018 at his residence. A native of Hawthorne, FL., he was born on Saturday, July 15, 1944. The son of William Bell and Hattie Mae Coleman Nelson, he was educated in the Alachua County School District in Hawthorne, attended Shell Elementary School and was a 1963 graduate of Lincoln High School. SP4 Nelson was a U.S. Army Veteran with honorable service to our great Nation and subsequently united in Holy Matrimony to Stella Louise Bunch. They became the proud parents of two children, Glenda Denise and Corey Brainard Nelson. He was a retired power plant maintenance foreman with Florida Power & Light Co., where he was employed for 35 years. The Nelsons' resided in San Mateo since 1974 and together they owned and operated C & S Upholstery and Antique Shop of Palatka (1987-2005) until they sold the business. In 1988, Cecil planted a citrus grove in San Mateo and made numerous friends, fellow workers, and associates. Cecil was a faithful member of Mt. Tabor First Baptist Church under the pastoral leadership of Reverend Karl N. Flagg, until declining health precluded him.

In addition to his parents, Cecil is preceded in eternal rest by nine of his siblings, Julia Mae Nelson, Frank Nelson, Boisey "Toot" Bell, Hill Bell, Alphonso "Sonny" Bell, Robert "Preacher" Bell, Richard "Dick" Bell, Julia Bell, Carrie Bell, and Mamie Bell.

He leaves to cherish his memories: his loving wife of 49 years, Stella L. Bunch Nelson, San Mateo; daughter, Glenda D. Nelson, San Mateo; son, Corey B. Nelson (Christina), Orange Park; brother, Charlie Boyd Herring (Grace), St. Augustine; sister, Janie Bell Butler, St. Petersburg; grandson, Imari D. Hooks, San Mateo; adopted granddaughters, Kaylee Nelson, Makayla Brown; adopted daughter, Elisse Serrano; dedicated cousins, Patricia Humphrey, Kathy Webb, Rene Mills; dedicated friends, Otis Archie, Frank Brown, McKinley Evans, Pastor Sheila McCoy, Jimmy Cooper, Jimmy Giddens, David Anderson; a host of nephews and nieces, especially Bishop Judy Butler Rivers; other caring relatives and sorrowing friends.

Visitation of Family and Friends will be held 5-8 p.m., Friday, May 18, at "Flagg Chapel of Serenity" 2400 Madison Street, Palatka. Homegoing Celebration will be 3 p.m., Saturday, May 19, at Mt. Tabor First Baptist Church, 4909 St. Johns Ave., Palatka. Rev. Karl N. Flagg, Senior Pastor, officiating. Bishop Judy Butler Rivers, Today's New Revelation, St. Petersburg, is the eulogist. Interment will be in the Nelsons' Family plot at Hawthorne Cemetery.