Nelson Early

Curtis Nelson Early, 85, of Hendersonville, Tennessee, passed away peacefully on December 30, 2024.

Born on February 25, 1939, in Nashville, Tennessee, Nelson was the youngest of five children of William and Winifred Mae (Donegan) Early. He grew up in East Nashville, where he and his brothers walked together to attend Lockeland Baptist Church, a place that became the foundation of his faith and where he met the love of his life, Jane Oliphant.

Nelson graduated from East High School, where he won a state tennis championship. He went on to become the first recipient of a tennis scholarship to Memphis State University, later playing semi-professional tennis. While in college, he lived in the athletic dorm, where he had a memorable encounter with Elvis Presley. Elvis often visited campus to play basketball with students, and on one occasion invited Nelson and his friends to Graceland, where Nelson shared a peanut butter and banana sandwich with the King of Rock and Roll.

Nelson earned a degree in English and Journalism from Memphis State University, a background that led him to serve as a reading and writing instructor for Army recruits during his military service.

On August 14, 1965, Nelson married his beloved Jane, and together they raised two daughters, Beth and Deborah, and were blessed with three grandsons, Robby, Ryan, and Rhett. Nelson was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, always present at his grandsons’ sporting events, enjoying rounds of golf with Robby and Ryan, and often found “train-watching” with Rhett.

A successful businessman, Nelson spent his career in banking before founding Early and Company, an advertising and marketing agency serving small and independent banks.

Nelson was preceded in death by his parents, and his siblings William, Morris, Donald, and Elizabeth Early Davenport. He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Jane; daughters Beth (Brad Staggs) Knott and Deborah (Scott) Stanley; grandsons Robby (Heather) Stanley, Ryan Stanley, and Rhett Stanley; great-granddaughter Allison Stanley; as well as numerous extended family, friends, and his church family at First Baptist Church of Hendersonville.

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 3, 2025, from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Hendersonville Funeral Home (353 E. Main Street, Hendersonville). A funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 4, 2025, at 11:00 AM at First Baptist Church of Hendersonville (106 Bluegrass Commons Blvd, Hendersonville), with visitation beginning one hour prior. Burial will follow at Hendersonville Memory Gardens. Pallbearers: Scott Stanley, Robby Stanley, Ryan Stanley, Rhett Stanley, Brad Staggs, and Jimmy Early.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF)

http://www2.breakthrought1d.org/goto/inmemoryofnelsonearly Or

St Jude Research Hospital https://www.stjude.org/