Henry E. Nelms

Henry Edward Nelms, 76, of Benton, gained his heavenly reward on May 10, 2024, surrounded by his loving family after a long and courageous battle with cancer.  Henry was born on March 22, 1948, to the late John Franklin and Stacy Aileen Patterson Nelms.

Henry was a member of Clear View Ministries.

Over the years, Henry worked for Benton Police Department, Polk County Sheriff’s Office, and the Polk County Ambulance Service.  Henry drove a school bus for many years for the Bradley County Department of Education, for which he received the National Blue Bird Association for public transportation “Heroism Award”, in Salt Lake City, Utah for outstanding alertness and professionalism in the face of a life-threatening emergency.   He also drove a rafting bus on the Ocoee River for twenty-seven years.  Henry was an avid hunter, winning several Beagle Field Trials over the years with his son, Brett.  He was an excellent clogger and was known for many years as “Starlite” to CB fans.

Henry loved the Lord, and his family beyond measure and they were his prize possessions.

In addition to his parents, John Franklin, and Stacy Aileen Patterson Nelms, he was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Jayleigh Nelms Roark; father and mother-in-law, RC and Georgia Spurling; brother and sister-in-law, Dave and Charlotte Spurling Garrison; brother-in-law, Franklin Sparks.

Left to cherish the many memories include his beloved wife Cynthia Spurling Nelms; son and daughter-in-love, Brett, and Callie Nelms; daughters, Brandi Nelms Roark (Chad Smith), and Sherri (Billy) Trinkner; grandchildren, Tyler Nelms, Macanna Nelms, Whitney Nelms, and Erica Berrior, Jillian Hill, and Emily Ensley; brother and sister-in-law, Rev. William and Marie Spurling Crook; sister-in-law, Joan Spurling Sparks; several great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, and special friend and brother-in-Christ, Guinn Green.

A Celebration of Life service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 16, 2024, in the chapel of Higgins Funeral Home, with Pastor Guinn Green and Pastor Ryan Potts officiating.  Interment will follow at Delano Cemetery, with Josh Coons, Jimmy Hawkins, Roger Clark, Chris Brown, Scott Buckner, and Tyler Nelms serving as pallbearers.   Honorary pallbearers will be Rick Dockery, Gerald Dockery, Zane Chancey, David Nicholson, Rodney Burris, and Dr. Jason Nicholson.

Family and friends will gather from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, and one hour prior to the service on Thursday, at the funeral home.

The family wishes to extend their sincere appreciation and gratitude to April, Joanie, and Amy of Hearth Hospice for their excellent care of Henry during his last week on this earth.

Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.HigginsFuneral.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Higgins Funeral Home of Benton.