Bobby Lee Nelson of Benton, Arkansas, formerly of Sheridan, was born January 30, 1933 at Grant County, Arkansas, the son of the late Jesse and Priscilla Thompson Nelson. He was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church at Sheridan. He operated a chicken farm as well as a black angus cattle farm and raised Jack Russell squirrel dogs. Bobby loved turkey hunting, camping and gardening. He was retired from the Arkansas Forestry Commission as a fire plow operator. As much as he loved all of that, there was no question, that aside from Jesus, the greatest love and joy in his life was his family. Though he had physical limitations that would have stopped most people, giving up wasn’t an option for him. In the true spirit of Phillipians 3:14, “I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us”, and he did indeed WIN his race.

Mr. Nelson died Friday, January 9, 2026 at his home, surrounded by his loved ones, at the age of 92. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife of 58 years, and mother of his children, Henrietta Atchley Nelson; daughters, Brenda Hardin and her husband John, Patricia Berry; grandson, Hunter Lee Mills; brothers, Josh Nelson, Floyd Nelson , Beecher Nelson , Franklin Nelson , Bud Nelson, and Harvey Nelson.

Survivors include his wife of 18 years, and best friend, Gerri Nelson of Benton; daughter and son-in-law, Loretta and Bobby Mills of Sheridan; grandchildren, Landon (Allie) Mills, Randy (Jamie) Rhodes, Renea (Eric) Wilken; great grandchildren, Sloane Mills, Stevie Mills, Cameron Rhodes, Colton Rhodes, Molly Miller, Kelly Cruthis; 6 great great grandchildren. He is also survived by numerous other extended family members , an untold number of friends, and his IBC Sheridan Church family.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at Immanuel Baptist Church in Sheridan with Bro. Gary Copeland officiating. Visitation is also Tuesday, from 1:00 P.M. until service time. Burial will follow in Center Grove Cemetery.

Serving as Pallbearers are Landon Mills, Randy Rhodes, Dennis Culpepper, Kevin Clark, Randy Heath, Travis Zuber.

Honorary Pallbearers are Bobby Mills, Donald Clark, Dale Clark, Dickey Whitaker, Rayvon Vailes.

Memorials may be made the the Hunter Lee Mills Memorial Scholarship Fund at People’s Bank in Sheridan