Rev. Clifford Richard Nelson, age 78 of the Riverhill Community of Ellijay, GA., passed from this life on August 24th, 2011. He was ordained as a Baptist minister 47 years ago, on October 14th, 1961, served his country honorably in the U.S. Army and was a retired employee of Hampton Hardware Company and Ellijay Hardware Company. Rev. Nelson was born in Ellijay, GA., to his late parents Hershal and Mae Nelson on October 16th, 1932. Survivors include wife of 14 years Rilla Chastain Welch Nelson of the home in Ellijay; daughters and sons-in-law Gale and Wilburn Defoor of Ellijay, Rena Nelson and Charlie Rose of Ellijay, Debbie and Sanford Fountain of Ellijay, GA., Delores Welch Fowler of Ellijay, Donna and Randall Collins of Blairsville, GA; 9 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; sister Charme Nelson Kirkland of Willington, NC; several nieces and nephews; special children Nancy and Wade Barnes and family. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m., Friday, August 26th, 2011 from the Cross Roads Baptist Church with Rev. Harold Evans, Rev. Tommy Sanford and Rev. Danny Evans officiating and speaking. Music will be performed by Regina Morgan, Rita Payne, Phillip Putnam, Heath Burnett and Lane Chastain. Military graveside interment will follow in the Cross Roads Baptist Church cemetery with military rites performed by the North Georgia Honor Guard. Pallbearers will be Levi Burnett, Heath Burnett, Brent Defoor, Colton Crook, Jamie Crook, Nick Moseley, Mathew Barnes, Charlie Rose, Phillip Putnam, Tony Nelson and Kirk Smith. Honorary pallbearers will be Harold Plumley, Ray Gibson, Wade Barnes, Tony Withrow, and Dan Atcheson. Family will receive friends beginning at 4:00 p.m. Thursday, August 25th, 2011 at Logan Funeral Home. Flowers are being accepted or donations may be made to the Cliff Nelson Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 485, Ellijay, GA 30540.