H 4863

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026
Bill 4863
Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter
(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)
A house RESOLUTION
TO EXPRESS THE
PROFOUND SORROW OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING
OF ELIS CURTIS NELSON, TO CELEBRATE HIS LIFE, AND TO EXTEND THEIR DEEPEST
SYMPATHY TO HIS LARGE AND LOVING FAMILY AND HIS MANY FRIENDS.
Whereas, the South
Carolina House of Representatives was deeply saddened to learn of the passing
of Elis Curtis Nelson at the revered age of eighty-six years on September 11,
2025; and
Whereas, affectionately
known as E.C., he was born in Columbia on August 5, 1939, the beloved son of the
late Lois Jefferson. His mother raised him with Elis Nelson, whose name he
took, and E.C. had four siblings, all of whom predeceased him: John Gallman,
Melvin Jefferson, Ruby Glen, and Thelma Smith; and
Whereas, E.C. Nelson
was educated in the public schools of Richland County, graduating from Booker
T. Washington High School in Columbia. He also was a longtime member of Zion
Pilgrim Baptist Church in Hopkins; and
Whereas, he was married
to the former Leanner Jackson for sixty-six loving and devoted years. To their
union seven children were born: Tony, Jerry, Larry, Wanda, Tone, and twins who
preceded him in death. He also was the proud grandfather of seventeen
grandchildren, thirty great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren;
and
Whereas, diligent in
his efforts to provide for his family and community, E.C. Nelson was an avid
entrepreneur who over the course of his life owned a gas station, worked as a
merchandise vendor, was the owner and operator of Soul Kitchen Food Truck, and
worked as a DJ, all the while working as a track inspector with CSX Railroad
from which he retired after two decades of service; and
Whereas, a dedicated
servant to his community, E.C. Nelson founded the Crime Watch Alliance, as well
as the Southeast Richland County Crime Watch Coalition, of which he was also
the president. He also served as president of the Lower Richland Crime Watch
Alliance, the Hopkins Crime Watch Association, and the Lower Richland Save Our
Community Organization; and
Whereas, his community
leadership extended beyond crime prevention initiatives. He was a member of the
Central Midlands Council of Governments, the Regional Aging Advisory Committee,
the South Carolina Double Dutch Association, the Richland County Sheriff's
Citizens Academy Alumni Association, and the New Horizon Community Family Care
Center; and
Whereas, E.C. Nelson
received numerous accolades during his lifetime, including the South Carolina
State Association of Crime and Prevention Officers Vern Bartly Memorial
Volunteer Award and additional awards for participating in the Sheriff's
Citizens Academy hosted by the Richland County Sheriff's Department; and
Whereas, he also found
time to contribute countless hours as a community volunteer, overseeing voter
registration drives and volunteering at many community events, such as the
Richland County Sherrif's Department All-Comers Track Meet. His selfless service
over the decades had a significant positive impact on Lower Richland and
surrounding communities. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the
House of Representatives:
That the members of the
South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, express profound
sorrow upon the passing of Elis Curtis Nelson, celebrate his life, and extend
deepest sympathy to his large and loving family and his many friends.
Be it further resolved
that a copy of this resolution be presented to the family.
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This web page was last updated on January 14, 2026 at 03:29 PM