Elijah James Nelson, known to friends & family as James, was born on February 19, 1951 in Tuskegee, AL to the late Eugene & Ophelia Nelson. He was the sixth of 12 children. James departed this life on Tuesday, November 18, 2014 at North Shore University Hospital, Manhasset, NY.

James attended Lewis Allen Elementary School & Tuskegee Institute High School. At a young age, James realized if he was going to have any opportunity for himself, future generations and loved ones he had to go North, which led him to relocate to New York City where he ex-celled the fundamentals of hard-work, character, family orientated and believed that you can overcome any obstacle in life.

In 1983, James met Marilyn and they both fell in love, which led to them getting married on February 19, 1987, which was also his birth-day. They were more than just best friends, but soul mates.

James worked at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, he started as a Custodian and quickly excelled to the title of Custodian Supervisor un-til his retirement 30 years later in February of 2014. He helped and be-friended many co-workers and students who went on to become future scholars, lawyers and judges. James was not a professor but a man of strong character and principle. Even where he lived, he was well known for his help and kindness.

James love and dedication to his wife, children and grandchildren was unconditional and priceless. He loved basketball, football, the classic old movies, and loved to dress and drive his Cadillac cars along with his best buddy James Gibson. Up until his final days, he made it a point to take time out with his loved ones to impart his wisdom, thoughts, cares and desires for them & their future.

James is preceded by his parents and siblings Mary Ann Lancaster, Eugene Nelson Jr. & Rose Nelson. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Nelson, his son Joseph Barnes Nelson & wife Shermay Barnes Nelson, his daughters Salina Munford and Kischa Leader, his grandchildren, Shanaythia Barnes Nelson, Joseph David Barnes Nelson Jr., Keturah Brown, Alaisa & Simone Munford, Diamond King & Kendrah Leader, his siblings, Cora Perry, Emma Dean, Robert Nelson, Sarah Nelson, Janie Nelson, Linda Nelson & Patricia Barnes and a host of uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, cousins, in-laws plus many friends and co-workers.

We all loved James dearly and he will be truly missed. His memory will forever be in our hearts. James having received the Lord Jesus Christ into his heart gives Marilyn a blessed peace because she will see him again in heaven.