1SG (Ret) Raymond Freeman Nelson
(September 12, 1940 - March 17, 2022)
Viewing Location: Leevy's Funeral Home Chapel
Viewing Date & Time: Wednesday, March 30, 2022 / 1:00 P.M. - 6:00 P.M.
Funeral Location: Second Nazareth Baptist Church 2300 Elmwood Avenue Columbia, South Carolina
Funeral Date & Time: Thursday, March 31, 2022 / 11:30 A.M.
Interment Location: Fort Jackson National Cemetery, 4170 Percival Road, Columbia, SC
Uncle Ray,
We are so going to miss you. Love you so much!!!
Condolences to Mrs. Nelson and family from the Starkes family. I worked with Ray on the Hastings Point Homeowners Association during the time he served as President. We all had a very good working relationship with Ray and it was very evident he cared much for our beloved neighborhood. May God bless him as he takes his eternal rest and may God continue to bless you, his family.
My condolences to the Nelson family (Debra). May God continue to bless and give you strength through this difficult time. I had the pleasure of working with Ray at the VA. He would always give a helping hand wherever was needed. Rest In Peace Ray.
My beloved Uncle Ray! I’m so glad that I made sure you knew that you meant the world to me. You were a father, a mentor, a voice of reason. You were the needed voice when I sat in silence and allowed my pride to stop me from asking for guidance, help or just a “male” ear. You gave to all you loved unselfishly. I still laugh at how others seemed to be intimidated by your strength and your stern voice, because little did they realize as I did earlier on that you were a gentle, loving giant. Another link in the chain is broken, another leaf has fallen from the tree yet it returns to the roots of the tree to nurture it so that it may continue to grow. Thanks for continuing to nurture those that remain behind and thanks for your unconditional love. Never, ever forgotten your “favorite” niece.
Sending my deepest sympathy to Shirley and the Nelson family. I met Ray around 1980 when he was 1Sgt of Baumholder, Germany post office. He always gave me undeliverable magazines. We became great friends as he was to many. Returning to the states we ran into each other again at Ft Jackson when he came to my place of work to visit his wife Shirley. We met again when I went to work at Dorn VA. Ray was a great friend…unselfish eager to share his knowledge to help others, witty and fun loving.
You will be greatly missed. Rest in Heavenly Peace my Friend
Will keep family in prayers.
Joining so many others in sending my sincere prayers for Ray’s family, that they receive comfort and strength during this most likely one of the most difficult times in their lives. My husband and I knew Ray years before he and I worked together at Dorn, so have many wonderful memories. They were in the 708th Maintenance Battalion, now they are both being laid to rest on 3/31 at the Ft Jackson Nat’l Cemetery….When we all get to heaven what a day of rejoicing that will be….”
Just hearing this news. Ray was one of the first to greet me at the VA in 1993. He became one of my closet friends. I salute his life and service. Condolences to his family. Celebrate his life!
Words fall short of expressing my sorrow for your loss. The family is in my thoughts and prayers.
I had the pleasure of working closely alongside him at the VA; the lessons learned from him, as with him, will not be forgotten.
Our deepest sympathy and condolences to the family. Preyers and thoughts to you.
Heartfelt thoughts for the Nelson family during this time of sorrow. I met Mr. Ray Nelson while employed at Dorn VA. Mr. Nelson was nice, caring, dependable and had a great sense of humor. He made me laugh a lot. I will be forever grateful to him for being a mentor to me while doing EEO mediations. I enjoyed working with him and he will be missed.
My deepest sympathy and condolences to the family of Mr. Ray Nelson. I met Ray while employed at Dorn VA Hospital. Ray always extended his help to all he came in contact with along with that smile of his, one that you would never forget. My prayers for comfort, peace, strength and love to the family to sustain you during this difficult time.
My heartfelt prayers and thoughts for Ray’s family. Great joy to have worked with Ray at Dorn. Thank you for his service inn US Army
God bless & love
Sending forever love, hugs and most importantly comforting prayers to the entire Nelson family as well as the VA family which is where I met Mr. Nelson 30 plus years ago. Mr. Nelson, it’s difficult knowing that I cannot pick up the phone to call you I will forever cherish those moments that I was able to not only speak to you but to see you via Facetime. Our conversations will forever be cherished you were such a great encourager. It was an honor and a privilege to have known you. You were without a doubt ONE IN A MILLION! Mr. Nelson YOU can NEVER be replaced. I know not one who did not look up to you, you were the perfect role model for the young and the old you had the biggest heart and always thought of others. So many have said if they could be half the man that you were then they’ve made it. You will be missed by so many thank you for serving this great country with such honor and respect. I also thank you for continuing to serve countless number of Veterans who came to the VA hospital just to see you during your employment. Earth has loss one of the greatest however; Heaven has gained THE GREATEST love you Mr. Nelson.
I always told Ray I wished he was my Sgt. in the Army because he would have made sure I got everything I needed to succeed. He was that kind of person even after the military. Always willing to help those who asked and would listen. I’m sure our group will miss going out to eat with him, a time where we can talk, laugh, and get together outside of work. Ray was a good mentor for me for Mediation and EEO. Always a gentleman and a good friend. He served his country, his family and his purpose. He will be missed by many. Psslm 116:15
Ray was a good friend of mine. He also was a friend of my Dad. Ray gave me advice on how to apply for my disability when I got out of the Navy. When I was employed with the VA in Charleston, Ray was the one who advised me to apply at Dorn for the position I held until I retired in 2009. Our friendship continued during my tenure at Dorn. Ray will surely be missed.
Ron Redd
I worked close wit Ray during our time. He was always there to assist in many situations. He gave his service to our great country and then continued in his work. Ray was liked by many and he was loved. I pray for his family during this difficult time.
We have lost a wonderful person, who was a dedicated employee. He was a pleasure to work with. May God place his hands on the family, to give them comfort, that only he can give. God bless the family
My sincere thoughts and prayers are with the Nelson family at this challenging time of sadness, may God the hearer of prayer and loving kindness comfort you with endurance, God will answer the distress ones. Psalms 4:1
Sending my deepest condolences to the Nelson family. Ray was indeed an asset to the Dorn VA family. Prayers of strength to the Nelson family during this difficult time. Take your rest Mr. Nelson. Job well done for your country, veterans and co workers at the medical center.
I send my deepest condolences to the Nelson family. I had the pleasure of working with Mr. Nelson and his wife. May God’s peace and strength bring comfort in your days to come.
My condolences to the family. Ray was the first person I met when I started at adorn VA Medical Center. Always helpful and if you had a question he made sure you got the correct answer. Rest in heaven Ray.
Although no words can really help to ease the loss you and your family bear, just know that you are very close in every thought and prayer.
Ray was a very loyal employee and a very special person to us all.
Please accept our heartfelt condolences on the loss of your loved one. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. Words seem inadequate to express our sadness over the passing of Ray. May the love of those around you help you through the days ahead.
Sending heartfelt sympathy to the Nelson family. My neighbor and friend. Ray was indeed someone we could turn to for guidance. Thank you for your service in the US Army and especially at Dorn VA Medical Center.
Sending my deepest sympathy to the Nelson family. Mr. Nelson was a dear friend to my family and I. He went above and beyond to help us in any way that he could. He was very instrumental in helping me, as well as others, secure career advancements over the years and never hesitated to assist whenever we needed a photographer. He was a true Godsend to many and a stranger to none. Rest in peace Mr. Nelson- You will be truly missed
A Wonderful Friend!!! I could talk all day about the help and guidance Ray has given me over the last 34 years.
I love you; rest easy my friend.