Nelson Lyle Emmons, Sr., 71, of Suffolk, VA passed away September 6, 2009 surrounded by his loving family. He was a native of Borderland, West Virginia. He was the son of the late David Fox and Pansy Bartram Emmons. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather. Nelson was a 1956 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, the class of 1960 Virginia Polytechnic Institute, where he was a Lt. in the Corp of Cadets. He also attended the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia where he met his wife Ruth. He was a member of Alpha Kappa Psi and the Baptist Student Union at both V.P.I. and UVA. He was a veteran of the United States Army with the 6th Missile Battalion 562D Artillery Company. He was the owner/operator of Western Auto and Western Union Associate Store for 44 years in downtown Suffolk.

He is survived by his wife Ruth Snowden Emmons of 47 years; daughters and sons-in-law, Linda Nell and Tracy Cooper of Lynchburg, VA, Maryanne E. and R. Johan Conrod of Suffolk, VA, Nicole M. Emmons of Brooklyn, NY; son, U.S. Army Lt. Col. Nelson L., Jr., and Namkang Emmons of Honolulu, HI, grandchildren, Teagan D. Cooper, Jacob J. Conrod, Abigail E. Conrod, Emma G. Conrod, Katherine R. Conrod, and an uncle, Chester Bartram of Canton, OH.

A Funeral Service will be held Thursday, September 10, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 237 N. Main St., Suffolk, VA 23434, with Dr. Bryan J. Ray and Rev. Micah Voight officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery. Friends may join the family Wednesday night from 7-8 p.m. at Parr Funeral Home & Crematory, 3515 Robs Dr., Suffolk, VA. Memorial donations may be made to First Baptist Church and the Corps of Cadets at V.P.I., 143 Brodie Hall (0213), Blacksburg, VA 24061. Condolences may be registered online at www.parrfuneralhome.com. Nelson's family wishes to express their appreciation to the staff of Sentara Obici Hospital and Nansemond Pointe Rehabilitation Center.