Dougherty County, Georgia - Henry Nelms 1943

Submitted by Debra Boswell Crosby http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00010.html#0002467
***********************************************************************
USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE:  These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced 
in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or
persons.  Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must
obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative
of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of
this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives
to store the file permanently for free access.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/
***********************************************************************



Albany Herald on Friday Oct 1. 1943

"Henry Nelms, Prominent Planter Dies; Funeral to be Held Friday"

Henry H. Nelms, 91, wealthy Dougherty planter and philanthropist, died this morning 
at his farm home following an illness. He was know throughout this section for his
many kindnesses to people and generosity to worhy causes. The entire community is 
grieved by his death. 
His survivors are a nephew. W. T. Janes, who made his home with Mr. Nelms on his farm. 
and two nieces, Mrs. Agnes Bower, of Albany and Mrs. Ruby Wingate of Doerun. Several 
grandnieces and nephews also survive. Sincere sympathy is extended to them in their 
sorrow. 
Mr. Nelms will be buried in the old family burial ground in Nelms Cemetery near his home.
The funeral will be held there tomorrow morning at 11 o'clock with Dr. Leonard A. 
Stephens, pastor of the First Baptist Church, of which Mr. Nelms was a member, 
conducting the service, assisted by Dr. L. G. Henderson, pastor of the First 
Presbyterian Church.
	Pallbearers Named
Active pallbearers will be J. P. Champion, Dr. J. C. Keaton, E. L. Smith, W. L. Davis, 
Albert Threlkeld, Charles Shackelford, Hudson Malone and Ray Pinkston.
An honorary escort will be formed by E. H. Kalmon, Ed Wood, H. E. Davis, T. M. Mitchell, 
V. R.  Bush, Sheriff O. F. Tarver, Marck Farkas, and L. L. Jenkins.
All pallbearers are asked to meet at the chapel of the Albany Undertaking Company 
which is in charge of the arrangements, at 10 o'clock tomorrow.
Mr. Nelms was a remarkable man with a unique history. He was born on the farm where he 
died, his dwelling standing only a few yards from the spot on which he he first saw 
the light of day. There he grew up, grappled with the problems of the difficult times 
which followed the civil war, and prospered though hard work and sound judgment. 
From time to time he added to his farm, making it one of the most productive in 
this section, famous for the fine crops grown on it year after year.
Several years ago Mr. Nelms attracted national attention by announcing the 
cancellation of a number of mortgages which he held on property in this community.
Many of the notes he held were secured by morgages on Albany homes. Some of the 
owners were Mr. Nelms' friends. Others were deserving persons whom he found it in 
his heart to forgive their indebtedness to him. It was stated at the time that the
total debt thus forgiven was not less that %50,000. The First Baptist Church of 
Albany owed Mr. Nelms a considerable sum of money which it had been necessary to 
borrow when the splendid Sunday School annex on the church's property at Pine
and Jefferson was built some years ago. This obligation was cancelled by Mr. Nelms
voluntarily and it was a happy day for the First Baptist congregation when 
announcement of the generous gift was made.