Henry Nelson

Henry Nelson was born to Lise and Ocie Nelson on August 5th, 1931 in Warwick, Georgia. Henry, the youngest of nine children, confessed Christ at an early age. Throughout his life, he used his baritone voice to sing and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

He was united in holy matrimony with Bernice Fowler on December 25, 1953. They celebrated over 64 years together, until her transition in 2017. To this union, four children were born.

In 1944, at the age of 13, Henry started his work experience as a barbershop clean-up boy in Sylvester, GA. The owner of that barbershop, Mr. Walker, gave Henry his first opportunity as a barber. Henry attended school and became a licensed barber in 1950, while working at H. W. Deacon Barbershop.

Henry soon began singing quartet with the Silver Tones from Cuffie Town. Henry’s baritone voice earned him a job as a radio disc jockey on the Cordell DieDale Radio Station. He hosted the 7AM Sunday Morning Gospel Hour. Henry also sang with the Southern Echoes in Albany, GA. The Southern Echoes were regular guest singers on WTTN Radio.

In 1964, after moving his family north, Henry began working at Walker’s Barbershop and Good All Rubber Company in Trenton N.J. He was elected as a shop steward and served in that role for 15 years. Henry retired from Goodall after 30 years of service.

Henry started his first quartet group, Spiritual Nights, and they sang at the Apollo Theater on the same program as Dick Gregory. He sang back-up for the Blind Boys of Mobile; and Suwannee Quintet of Augusta Ga. He and his nephew started another quartet group, The New Marvelous Goldenaires. Their first CD was entitled “Show Me The Way.”

Henry believed that in Christ all things are possible. He had many entrepreneurial ventures after working at Walker’s Barbershop for over 20 years. He was blessed to be part owner of the Country Store on Grant Avenue. Shortly after becoming part owner of that store, Henry opened his own shop, Nelson’s Barber and Beauty Shop, on Olden Ave. Always moving forward with his love of family, he entered into a joint venture with Jimmy Ware, and opened The Nelson Family Restaurant on Market Street in Trenton. Henry and his niece, Earleen Battle, co-founded the Nelson family reunion. Henry was dedicated and committed to God and to his family.

Henry was ordained Deacon at Jerusalem Baptist Church, where he served the Lord and his church faithfully. Deacon Nelson began managing Gospel artists and promoting Gospel programs in and around the Trenton community. He later became the spiritual adviser for The New Spirit, a gospel recording group.

Deacon Nelson retired from the barbering business with over 60 years of serving the community. In 2014, at the age of 83, he interviewed and had a video screening with Harpo Studios for the role of Cager Lee in movie ‘Selma.’ 

On January 1, 2022, in the still of the morning and with his daughters by his side, God called Deacon Henry Nelson home. Deacon Nelson was preceded in death by his parents; his devoted wife, Bernice F. Nelson; three brothers and four sisters; and one granddaughter, Monica Nelson.

Cherishing his memory are his two daughters and two sons, Mrs. Gwendolyn (Don) Wilson, Elder Dr. Patricia Riley, Bruce Nelson of Atlanta, GA, and Cornell (Monique) Nelson of Somerset, NJ; one brother, Lise Nelson, of Pittsburgh, PA; four brothers-in-law, Lester (Odester) Fowler of Doerun, GA, Deacon Willie (Carol) Fowler of Roswell, GA, Donnie (Mary) Fowler of Mt. Holly, NJ; two sisters-in-law Pastor Dr. Katherine (Robert) Williams of Sylvester, and Ann (Elder James) Thompson of Tifton, GA; eight grandchildren, Jahi, Ty, Eris, Lynell, Malik, Quinton, Quincy and Mason; two great grandchildren, DeJa and Dakarai; Frank Wise his beloved caretaker, Rodney Bow, several godchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

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