Johnnie Nelson

Johnnie Nelson, 73, of Portsmouth, passed away Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, after a brief illness at Southern Ohio Medical Center. He was born June 23, 1938, in New Boston, a son of the late John and Lilly Mae Bowling Nelson. Johnnie retired as a U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer after 23 years of faithful and dedicated service. He was an avid animal lover and rescued many stray cats. Johnnie is survived by his wife, Betty Caskey Nelson, whom he married Dec. 13, 1958; a son, Johnnie D.W. Nelson (Cherie) of Mechanicsville, MD; 2 daughters, Eva Davenport (Boyd) of Harleysville, PA, and Carla Nelson-White of Columbus, Oh; 4 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and his cat, Newton. He was also preceded in death by 2 sisters, Katherine Porter and Carolyn Sturgill; and a beloved cat, Catbird. Services will be 11:00 am, Wed., Feb. 29, 2012 at D.W. Swick Funeral Home in New Boston with Pastor Charles Caskey officiating. Burial will be at Siloam Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10:00 am until the time of the service at D.W. Swick Funeral Home. dwswickfuneralhome.com.