James “Frog” Parks Nelson, 86, of Charlotte, died Saturday, December 3, 2016, at the Levine and Dickson Hospice House in Huntersville.
James was born in Charlotte on March 13, 1930, the son of Odell Grier and Verdie Jewell Penninger Nelson. In 1949, after graduating from high school, he answered his country’s call to service and honorably served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. Upon his return to civilian life, he met the love of his life, Iris Meacham Nelson, whom he married on December 20, 1952. James worked as a supervisor for Gulf Atlantic Warehouse. While he enjoyed many things in life, what he enjoyed most was time spent with friends and family and he will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
James is survived by his wife, Iris, of Charlotte; two daughters, Tina Nelson and her son Ryan of Mint Hill and Pam LaFlamme (husband Larry) of Huntersville; and a sister, Ruth Nowlan, of Indian Trail. He is further survived by numerous other relatives and friends.
Frog’s family has given the privilege of serving them to the family of Lowe-Neddo Funeral Home, 4715 Margaret Wallace Road, Matthews. All services were held at the funeral home on Tuesday, December 6, with visitation beginning at 1:00 pm followed by the service at 2:00 pm. Private entombment took place at Sharon Memorial Park.
Daylan Joseph Smallwood, aka “Daddy’s Biggest Man”, “Buddha Man” and “Tippy Toe”, was born to Dylan and Gloria Smallwood on October 26, 2014, and suddenly entered his heavenly home on December 2, 2016. In his short two years, he had already come to love cars and trucks, which he enjoyed playing with often.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by his big sister, and best buddy; Saness Smallwood; his grandparents Trudy Pratt, and her fiance Rodney Brown, the late Maurice Pratt, Donna Smallwood, the late Joseph Smallwood who died 20 hours after his dear grandson. He is further survived by his aunts and uncles; Precious Moss, Maurice Wilson, Iris Wilson, Tammara Pratt, Javon Moon, Mykaylah Pratt, Ethan Smallwood, Shyan Smallwood, and a host other family and friends who will dearly miss him and trust our dear Lord to help care for all during this time of terrible heartache and pain.
A service to celebrate the many memories and blessings of his short two years was held in the chapel of Lowe-Neddo Funeral Home, 4715 Margaret Wallace Road on Thursday, December 8, at 5:00 pm. Friends visited the family and little Daylan at the funeral home from 4:00 pm until the time of the service.
In honor of Daylan, the family respectfully requested donations of toys which were collected and through Throne of Grace Church, donated to needy children through the Lift Up Lumberton Boxes of Hope. All are encouraged to donate a toy to a children’s charity and to take a moment to hug a child in their life and let them know how much you love them.
Thank you for keeping Daylan’s family in thought, prayer and acts of kindness, those done and those yet to be done.
