Joe Nelson

Joe Thomas Nelson, 94, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, Dec. 11, 2003, at his home.

He was born April 17, 1909, in Henning, Tenn., the son of Louis Grant and Lubertha Shanks Nelson. Rosie Lee Nelson was his first wife. He then married Lessie Foster in 1942. She preceded him in death in 1995.

He was a member of New Bethel Baptist Church, Harmony Lodge No. 40, F&AM, and a charter member of the Cavalier Club of Cairo, Ill. He owned People's Cafe on Good Hope Street in Cape Girardeau from 1956 until 1992. He worked for Potashnick Construction for 75 years.

He is survived by two sons, Louis Grant Nelson of Cape Girardeau and Douglas McAuther Nelson of Chicago, Ill.; two cousins he raised, Geneva Bledsoe of Chicago and Rose Marie Robinson of Maywood, Ill.; and 14 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at the New Bethel Baptist Church. Masonic rites will be at 7:30 p.m. Monday.

Services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the church with the Rev. Johnny Thomas officiating. Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery in Cape Girardeau.

Arrangements are under the direction of Sparks Funeral Home in Charleston, Mo.