John "Sonny" William Nelson

John William (Sonny) Nelson was born in Caruthersville, Missouri, on November 14, 1935.  He was the son of T.R. Nelson and Mary Mecham Nelson.

He departed this life in Hayti, Missouri, on July 22, 2025.  He was 89 years old.

On March 14, 1954, in Hernando, Mississippi, Sonny was united in marriage to Jimmie Ouida (Corkey) Dinnell.  They celebrated 71 years of marriage.

Sonny served ten years in the Missouri National Guard.

He began his career at the Caruthersville Post Office in 1965, retiring as Postmaster in 1999.

Sonny was an avid golfer.  He was known for his excellent short game.  He also enjoyed going to the St. Jude Classic Golf Tournament in Memphis each year.  He was a St. Louis Cardinal baseball fan and a Notre Dame football fan.  For many years in the 60’s, he coached Caruthersville Pony League baseball. 

He was Chairman of the Tournament Committee at the Caruthersville Country Club for over 25 years.

Sonny was a faithful member of the Caruthersville Church of God.

He is survived by his wife: Corkey Nelson of Caruthersville, Missouri; two daughters: Jackie Spear and her husband, David, of Collierville, Tennessee, and Dawn Bush and her husband, Brent, of Collierville, Tennessee; one son: John William Nelson II of Elberta, Alabama; four grandchildren: Jay Spear, Courtney Kerby and her husband, Clarke, Carlye Taylor, and Whitney Bailey and her husband, Marshall; eight great grandchildren: Lillian, Abigail, Madelyn, Addi Claire, Ellie Kathryn, Jack, Zoey, and Leif; other relatives, including a niece, Wendi Johnson, and many, many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and two brothers – Frank Lee Nelson and Michael Ray Nelson.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Caruthersville Church of God.  Pastor Jon Haywood will officiate.  Interment will follow in Maple Cemetery.

Visitation will begin at 12:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

H.S. Smith Funeral Home in charge of services.

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