Obituary

Russell Jay Nielson

January 6, 1951 - March 30, 2025

Russell Jay Nielson, age 74 and a resident of Franklinton Louisiana, went to be with our Lord on Sunday March 30, 2025 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was a lifetime member of Hays Creek Southern Baptist Church. He was born on January 6th, 1951. He graduated from Franklinton High School in the class of 1969. As a teenager, he started working at Murphy Bateman Building Supply. Later he went on to work at Dairyman Incorporated and Washington Co-op. He started his own business in 1981, Nielson Feed, Seed, and Fertilize and operated it until 2004. He became a Bus Driver for Washington Parish School Board in August 2000 where he retired in May 2021, but continued to drive as a substitute until last year (2024) where he said he’d still be driving if he were able.

“Paw,” as his grandkids called him, was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He enjoyed taking his grandchildren hunting, and fishing in his pond. He enjoyed growing a garden, where he grew the biggest and sweetest watermelons in the parish using his favorite international tractors. From his years in running his feed business, he was known far and wide in the parish and surrounding areas. He knew nearly everyone. If he ever did meet a stranger, they weren’t strangers for long. His heart was bigger than his hands, and he would go out of his way to help any and every one. He instilled on his family the importance of hard work, faith, and dedication. It is with those attributes that his legacy will live on.

Survived by: Wife of 54 years: Nettie James Nielson; 2 Daughters and a Spouse: Robin Michelle Nielson, Rusti Nannette Nielson Owens and Jamey Holden; 5 Grandchildren and Spouses: Hunter Keaton Owens and Katie, Jackson Ross Gilmore and Raven, Hayden Blake Owens, Katherine Grace Bitting, Hinsten River Holden; 2 Great-grandchildren: Jaxston and Waylon Gilmore, and a 3rd blessing on the way, Baby Owens; Son in love: Justin Porche and wife Laura; Brother and Sister in law: Bruce and Rita Nielson; Brother in law: Otha Schilling; Special Aunt: Patsy and Nicky Smith; Special Niece: Jennifer Nielson; Also numerous brothers in law and sisters in law and other beloved nieces, nephews and their families. Special Friends: Vivian Magee Ard, Shannon Holliday, Tysha Magee

He was preceded in death by his parents Willie Jay Nielson and Jean Roberts Nielson, sister Cheryl Nielson Schilling, father in law and mother in law Malcolm and Rosetta James and other family members.

Visitation will be at Crain Funeral Home Wednesday April 2nd from 5:00 pm until 9:00 pm. Visitation will continue Thursday at Hays Creek Southern Baptist Church ((29028 W. Hayes Creek Road, Franklinton) from 9:00 am until 11:00 am. A funeral service will be held in the church at 11:00 am with Rev. Ronnie Chaisson and Rev. Frederick Brumfield officiating. Burial will follow in the Hays Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family wishes to express a sincere thank you to Dr. Robin Fabre and staff, St. Tammany Parish Hospital staff, M. D. Anderson/Ochsner cancer center staff and his beloved Hays Creek church family for all the care and support shown to Russell over the last year.

Pallbearers: Hunter Owens, Hayden Owens, Jackson Gilmore, Jamey Holden, Justin Porche, Clay Sumrall

Honorary Pallbearers: Bolivar Magee, Gary Brumfield, Ricky Jenkins, Wendell Vince, Greg Graves, Chuck Graves, Cole Schilling, Brandon Schilling, Dudley Nielson, Ken James, Andy James, Bruce Ladner