Jimmy Lee "Taz" Nelson, age 72, of Dryden, Virginia, went to his heavenly home, following a long-term illness, surrounded by his loved ones, on Saturday, October 17, 2026 at sunrise.

Born March 25, 1954, in the Big Hill community of Lee County, Virginia to the late Ray Nelson and Virginia Burton-Boggs, Taz devoted his life to being a loving son, brother, husband, Dad, Papaw, Great Papaw, and friend. He was a 1973 graduate of Dryden High School. Taz was a dedicated employee of Westmoreland Coal Company, having worked both underground and surface coal mining, up until his retirement with a twenty-year career, when the company dissolved in 1995. Following his retirement from coal mining, Taz had a fifteen-year career in truck driving, hauling rock and asphalt for various local companies, including RS Jones, Jessee Stone and CD Litton. Of the Baptist faith, he was baptized in the muddy waters of the Powell River in 2008 and enjoyed attending church regularly at Dryden Missionary Baptist Church. Taz had a lifelong passion for motorcycles, especially Kawasaki and Harley Davidson models, American muscle cars and horses. He also enjoyed playing a hand of cards, specifically Rummy, or pulling a friendly prank on a fellow co-worker. Hardworking and always making his presence known, Taz never met a stranger and was always willing to lend a helping hand. Taz will surely be forever missed by his loving family, friends and community; he was definitely one of a kind.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Paul Boggs, Jr; sisters, Janice Nelson, Betty Ray Nelson, Deloris "Lois" Nelson and Barbara "Bobbie" Sublette; two infant grandchildren; mother-in-law, Dovie Robbins Adkins; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Mack and Lois Jones (who were like his own parents); special brothers -in-law, Roger Gates, Sr, Tom Wall, Lonnie Pennington, Bill Pennington and Bud Sublette; three beloved horses, Little Mack, Bandit and Prowler.

Survivors include his wife of thirty-one years, Nancy Nelson; daughter, Amanda Kate Nelson-Davenport and husband Roy "Boo"; step-son, William "Billy" Joyner and wife, Kristen; grandsons, Hagan Nelson and wife, Kadie, and Kantor Davis and wife Kelsie; step-grandsons, Kenneth Joyner and Matthew Joyner; great-grandchildren, Abel and Nathan Nelson (and another on the way); sisters, Mary "Sissy" Pennington, Shirley Wall, Peggy Nelson and Wanda Gates; ex-wife and dear friend, Margaret Morrison; a host of many special nieces, nephews and friends.

Visitation will be 5:00-8:00 PM, Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at Jones-Pennington Gap Funeral Home, 42098 East Morgan Ave, Pennington Gap, VA 24277.

Funeral Services will be held in the funeral home chapel at 11:00 AM Wednesday, October 21, 2026 with Pastor Paul Davis, Jr officiating. Special music will be provided by Marie Quillen.

Burial will follow at Powell Valley Cemetery in Dryden, Virginia. The family invites anyone wanting to ride a motorcycle or having an American muscle car to lead the procession.

Pallbearers will be William "Billy" Joyner, Hagan Nelson, Kantor Davis, Kenneth Joyner, Matthew Joyner and Roger "Runt" Gates. Honorary Pallbearers will be Abel and Nathan Nelson.

" I have fought a good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith" - 2 Timothy 4:7 KJV

Jones - Pennington Gap Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Taz Nelson