Winford Lee Nelson, "Winky", 82 of Northwood Drive, Raleigh, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, February 8, 2016.

Winky was born October 20, 1933 in Durham, North Carolina, and is preceded in death by his father, Charlie Nelson; mother, Opal Nelson Faison; and brother, Charles Thomas Nelson. He was a US Army Veteran, serving in Germany where he held the rank of Corporal.

He received his undergraduate degree at Wake Forest University and later completed his Masters at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He retired after thirty years of service with the Administrative Office of the Courts for the State of North Carolina.

He is survived by his love Betty Nelson; niece, Carolyn N. Bowden (Junior Thomas) of Roseboro, NC; great nephew, Charles Bowden (Penny) of Raleigh, NC; great niece, Lesley B. Allen (Brian) of Roseboro, NC; great nephew, William Grant Bowden (Angela) of Linden, NC; great-great niece Kailey Ann Allen and great-great nephews Jacob Thomas Allen, Samuel Colt Bowden, and William Luke Bowden; step-daughter, Beth Maynor (Clayton) and children, Anna Grace and Morgan of Zebulon, NC. Also surviving are close friends Ernest and Peggy Upchurch and their family.

Services will be held on Friday, February 12, 2016 beginning with family receiving friends from 11 AM to 12 Noon followed by a memorial service at 12 Noon at the Montlawn Funeral Home Chapel. Memorials in Winky's honor can be made to the following:

Alzheimer's Association Eastern North Carolina Chapter, 3739 National Drive, Suite 110 , Raleigh, NC 27612

Freedom Baptist Church, P.O. Box 338, Salemburg, NC 28385

Baptist Children's Homes of NC, P.O. Box 338, Thomasville, NC 27361-0338