J. Hoyt Nelms (12-17-11)

J. Hoyt Nelms, 88, died Saturday, December 17, 2011.

Born in the Sanford Community in Madison County on June 16, 1923, he was the son of the late Hoyt J. and Irene Williams Nelms. He was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn O’Quinn Nelms.

He graduated from the University of Georgia in 1944, was a farmer, and retired from the public accounting business he ran in Athens for over 50 years. He was a lifetime member of the Georgia Master 4-H Club and the Madison County Cattleman’s Association, for which he was chairman for several years in its formative period. He taught adult Sunday School at both Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, where he was a lifetime member, and at the Gordon’s Chapel United Methodist Church until his health prevented his attending.

Survivors include his children and their spouses, Leonard (Brenda) Nelms, Houston, Texas, Angela Rouse and Linda Kay Holloman (George), the Sanford Community, and Judy (Gary) Cochrane of Ball Ground; 11 grandchildren, Jennifer Nelms, Tara and Trey Bourgeois, Lynsey and Derek Nelms, Beth Holloman, Adrienne Holloman (Alan) Simmons, Allison Paul (Billy) Phillips, Clinton (Brittnie) Rouse, Kimberly Cochrane (Dick) Locastro, and Kara Cochrane (Jason) McClure; and 11 great-grandchildren.

Graveside services were held Monday, December 19, at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in the Neese Community with the Rev. Ray Jenkins officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Pleasant Grove Cemetery Fund, 2227 Diamond Hill-Neese Road, Hull, GA 30646.

Lord & Stephens Danielsville was in charge of arrangements.