South Carolina H 4863: E.C. Nelson sympathy

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 4863 Text of Previous Version (Jan. 14, 2026) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 4863

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

A house RESOLUTION

TO EXPRESS THE 
PROFOUND SORROW OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING 
OF ELIS CURTIS NELSON, TO CELEBRATE HIS LIFE, AND TO EXTEND THEIR DEEPEST 
SYMPATHY TO HIS LARGE AND LOVING FAMILY AND HIS MANY FRIENDS.

Whereas, the South 
Carolina House of Representatives was deeply saddened to learn of the passing 
of Elis Curtis Nelson at the revered age of eighty-six years on September 11, 
2025; and

Whereas, affectionately 
known as E.C., he was born in Columbia on August 5, 1939, the beloved son of the 
late Lois Jefferson. His mother raised him with Elis Nelson, whose name he 
took, and E.C. had four siblings, all of whom predeceased him: John Gallman, 
Melvin Jefferson, Ruby Glen, and Thelma Smith; and

Whereas, E.C. Nelson 
was educated in the public schools of Richland County, graduating from Booker 
T. Washington High School in Columbia. He also was a longtime member of Zion 
Pilgrim Baptist Church in Hopkins; and

Whereas, he was married 
to the former Leanner Jackson for sixty-six loving and devoted years. To their 
union seven children were born: Tony, Jerry, Larry, Wanda, Tone, and twins who 
preceded him in death. He also was the proud grandfather of seventeen 
grandchildren, thirty great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren; 
and

Whereas, diligent in 
his efforts to provide for his family and community, E.C. Nelson was an avid 
entrepreneur who over the course of his life owned a gas station, worked as a 
merchandise vendor, was the owner and operator of Soul Kitchen Food Truck, and 
worked as a DJ, all the while working as a track inspector with CSX Railroad 
from which he retired after two decades of service; and

Whereas, a dedicated 
servant to his community, E.C. Nelson founded the Crime Watch Alliance, as well 
as the Southeast Richland County Crime Watch Coalition, of which he was also 
the president. He also served as president of the Lower Richland Crime Watch 
Alliance, the Hopkins Crime Watch Association, and the Lower Richland Save Our 
Community Organization; and 

Whereas, his community 
leadership extended beyond crime prevention initiatives. He was a member of the 
Central Midlands Council of Governments, the Regional Aging Advisory Committee, 
the South Carolina Double Dutch Association, the Richland County Sheriff's 
Citizens Academy Alumni Association, and the New Horizon Community Family Care 
Center; and 

Whereas, E.C. Nelson 
received numerous accolades during his lifetime, including the South Carolina 
State Association of Crime and Prevention Officers Vern Bartly Memorial 
Volunteer Award and additional awards for participating in the Sheriff's 
Citizens Academy hosted by the Richland County Sheriff's Department; and

Whereas, he also found 
time to contribute countless hours as a community volunteer, overseeing voter 
registration drives and volunteering at many community events, such as the 
Richland County Sherrif's Department All-Comers Track Meet. His selfless service 
over the decades had a significant positive impact on Lower Richland and 
surrounding communities. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the 
House of Representatives: 

That the members of the 
South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, express profound 
sorrow upon the passing of Elis Curtis Nelson, celebrate his life, and extend 
deepest sympathy to his large and loving family and his many friends.

Be it further resolved 
that a copy of this resolution be presented to the family.

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This web page was last updated on January 14, 2026 at 03:29 PM