Dr. Joseph Ernest Nelms Jr., born Feb. 11, 1933, a native of Hartwell, Ga., and a resident of Gulf Shores, died Sunday, July 29, 2007.
He graduated from Georgia Tech University with a bachelor of science degree engineering and a medical degree from Tulane University.
He was a resident in orthopaedic surgery at Mobile General Hospital and Oschner Foundation, New Orleans. He practiced orthopaedic surgery in Mobile from 1962 until 1992.
He was a member of the AMA, American College of Orthopaedic Surgeons (Board certified), Southern Orthopaedic Society, Mid America Orthopaedic Society, MASA, was past president of the Alabama Orthopaedic Society, Mobile County Medical Society.
He was a charter member of St. Andrew by the Sea Community Church and former member of a Mobile Mystic Society.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Grace and Joseph Nelms, and a daughter, Pamela.
Survivors include his wife, Diane Nelms; daughters, Lou (Mike) Schambeau and Sara Willard; a son, J.E. “Sam” (Dena) Nelms III; step-daughters, Leslie Edwards, Wilmer and Lauree Robinson; step-grandchildren, Jessica and Chris Robinson; father-in-law George Gagnon, sisters-in-law and other cousins.
Visitation will be held beginning at 1 p.m., with funeral services at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 2 at St. Andrew by the Sea, Fort Morgan Road, Gulf Shores. A private burial service will be held at Pine Crest Cemetery, Mobile.
The family requests memorial donations be made to St. Andrew by the Sea Community Church or to the American Diabetes Association.
Arrangements are by Pine Crest Funerals and Cremations, Mobile. An online guestbook may be signed at www.pinecrestfuneralhome.com.
