LOUISBURG - James David "J.D." Nelms, Sr., age 86, passed away on Thursday, March 30, 2023. Born in Nash County on January 3, 1937, he was the son of the late David Rockfellow Nelms and Nanny Bell Perry Nelms. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Nancy Winstead Nelms; his son, Ronnie Wrenn; his great-granddaughter, Emily; his brother, Joseph Earl Nelms; and his sisters, Frances Nelms Pittman, Edith Nelms Baker, Judy Nelms Huhn, and Christine Nelms Travis.

J.D. is survived by his special friend of 17 years, Bobbie Edwards Wrenn; his sons, David Nelms, Jr. of Elm City, Gary Wayne Nelms of Rocky Mount, and Melvin Wrenn and wife, Frankie, of Durham; his daughters, Tammy Nelms Spradling of Louisburg, Stacie Turnage and husband, Richard, of Wendell, Lisa Nelms of Rocky Mount, and Jennifer Sanderson and husband, Mike, of Wilmington; his, daughter-in-law, Ella Wrenn of Louisburg; his 22 grandchildren; his 38 great-grandchildren; his three great great-grandchildren; his brothers, John Nelms and wife, Linda, Charles Nelms and wife, Tonya, and Danny "Pete" Nelms and wife, Kathy; his sister-in-law, Gracie Nelms Decot; and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, April 3, 2023, at 1 p.m. in the Chapel of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services with Rev. Melton Tyson officiating. Burial will follow the service at Rocky Mount Memorial Park. Visitation with the family will be from 12:00 PM to 12:45 p.m. prior to the service in the Atrium of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home.