Cornelius Nelson

“Once social change begins it cannot be reversed. You cannot un-educate the person who has learned to read. You cannot humiliate the person who feels pride. You cannot oppress the people who are not afraid anymore.” —Caesar Chavez Cornelius W. Nelson, better known as Neal, was born in Petersburg, Va. to Eugene L. and M. Zelmer Nelson on September 20, 1941. The third of five brothers, Neal enjoyed a childhood spent partially in Harlem, where Central Park was his playground. After returning to Richmond, he graduated Armstrong High School at the age of 15 and later joined the Air Force, traveling within the US (TX and AL) and as far as Izmir, Turkey. After a charmed tour he was honorably discharged and then enrolled in Virginia State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology and met the love of his life, Evelyn Ernestine Lanier of McKenney, Va. They were introduced at a small diner on Route 1, were later married on March 7, 1964 and lived in Washington DC where there were more job opportunities. Their union lasted until her passing on February 15, 2009. Neal started his career in the mailroom at IBM, and found the work environment to be ripe with a racist power structure. After that experience he followed an entrepreneurial path, working in insurance sales with Prudential, entertainment management and ultimately opening Green Ribbon Florist and Gifts, a floral wire service. Together with his in-laws he chartered Ambassador Baptist Church on 1412 Minnesota Ave, SE. Often he could be found reading a book, legs crossed, in deep concentration. He enjoyed playing chess and listening to rock, jazz and funk music. He loved listening to WPFW–Jazz and Justice and he regularly chatted with all the business owners on 12th Street in Brookland. As he sought his daily coffee he would exchange ideas with the owners of 7-11 and he collected the crunchiest of natural snacks and health supplements at the Glut Co-op in Mt. Rainier, Md. He never hesitated to help anyone he encountered in need. He is survived by his daughters, Toni Nelson Clark (Julius), Jeanette Jacqueline Nelson (Dieylani); grandson, Jacquan A. Clark (Destiny), grandcat and roommate, Ephigenia “Effie” Nelson; great-grandsons, Sirius and Orion; brothers, Eugene L. Jr., Donald A. and Otis L. (Linda) Nelson; brothers-in-law, Sidney L. Jr. (Mary), Robert (Gerry) and John (Elsa) Lanier; sisters-in-law, Annie L. Tate, Jeanette Branch (Milton) and Jacqueline Arnold; and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife of 45 years, Evelyn; brother, Charles; uncle, Frank; granddaughter, Lailah Simone Clark; sisters-in law, Susie Clay, Hazel Lanier and Cora Nelson; brother-in-law, Camillo F. Lanier; and nieces, Kelly Nelson and Sharon Clay.

Cornelius Nelson

September 20, 1941 - February 9, 2021