FRANKLIN — Lawrence Woodson Nelson, 72, passed away on May 12, 2016, at his home surrounded by his loved ones.

Mr. Nelson was born in Martinsville, and was predeceased by his parents, Henry Woodson Nelson and Mary Ruth Smith Nelson, and his beloved pet, Sophie.

He was a retired superintendent for H.B.H. Industrial Services of Portsmouth and was a Navy veteran during the Vietnam era.

He was a member of Mt. Horeb United Methodist Church, and president and honorary member of the Handsom Hunt Club.

Left to cherish his memory are his best friend, Barbara Nelson (Rich); daughter, Mandy Edwards (Allyn) of Franklin; son, Mark Woodson Nelson (Melissa) of Zuni; two sisters, Cathy Ricks (Mac) of Callao; and Ellen Nelson (Pat) of Stoneville, North Carolina; two brothers, Frank Nelson of Stoneville; and Barry Nelson (Rosie) of New Bern, North Carolina; four grandchildren, Caitlynn and Donovan Edwards and Caroline and Camrey Nelson; his best friend, Bennie “Sunshine” Murphy; his caregiver, Stephanie Norman; and his nurse, Terry Blythe.

The funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, May 17, in Wright Funeral Home with the Rev. William E. Ricks officiating. Burial with military honors will be in the new annex section of Poplar Spring Cemetery, off of Homestead Road in Franklin.

The family will receive friends in the funeral home on Monday, May 16, from 6 to 8 p.m., and other times at the home of Mark and Melissa Nelson at 35096 Unity Road, Zuni.

www.wrightfuneralhome.org.