Roland Julian Nelson

Roland Julian Nelson (1943 - 2023)

Roland Julian Nelson, age 80, passed away in the early morning hours of August 19, 2023.  He was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Katherine Yeager Nelson. Roland had a vibrant, infectious personality who brought joy to everyone he encountered.

Roland was a proud Fairfield High School cheerleader until his graduation in 1960.  He then attended Auburn University where he engrained his love of the Tigers and became a registers pharmacist In 1965. After a stint in the United States Army, Roland began to live out his dream of owning an independent pharmacy.

Roland owned Reynolds Drugs on the corner of Greensprings Highway and Oxmoor Road in Homewood for 40 years.  During that time he was an icon of both Homewood and the Pharmaceutical industry.  His service to the vocation peeked when he was a member of the Alabama Board of Pharmacy for nearly a decade. He was the President of the Alabama Board of Pharmacy during his final year as a board member. 

Roland’s giant, lovable personality made him an ambassador of friendliness, positivity, and good will.  He could always be found with a cigar hanging from his smiling lips as he served a customer at his pharmacy, helped a neighbor with a chore, or worked on a project for his longtime church home, Homewood Cumberland Presbyterian Church. 

He is survived by his daughters, Katherine Cherie Nelson and Leslie Nelson McElheny, his son-in-law John Hollis McElheny, as well as his two sisters Martha Ann Shamberger and Judy McGavic. He is further survived by his six grandchildren-all of whom he adored-Tyler Andrew Wright, Carter Austin Wright, Abby Hollis McElheny, Parker Aaron Wright, Miles Roland McElheny, and John Reid McElheny.

Roland was a jolly man who lit up every room entered.  He will forever be missed and remembered by his family and friends.  May we all strive to impact the world with Roland’s positivity, kindness, and gusto. 

The family will receive friends Thursday, August 24, 2023 from 10 am-12 pm at Currie-Jefferson Funeral Home.  A funeral service will follow at 12 pm at the Currie-Jefferson. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Homewood Cumberland Presbyterian Church, in memory of Roland J. Nelson.