Ulis Stephen (Steve) Nelson, age 74, Passed away at the Johnson City Medical Center on June 4, 2014, after a lengthy illness. He was born in Erwin, Tennessee on April 10, 1940, and graduated from Unicoi County High School. He joined the United States Navy and served as a journalist for the Navy press corps.
He moved with his parents to Washington County after his military service ended and worked in the communications profession for the rest of his life. He began his career at WJHL TV, moved from television to radio, working at WETB, and WBEJ, among others, and wrote for several newspapers. During his career as a journalist and broadcaster, he was most widely known for his work on the “Weekend Report”, a program aired by WETB Radio for many years, interviewing everyone from the everyday man-on-the-street to presidents, Tennessee governors, legislators, and many national politicians. His many interviewees also included Porter Waggoner, Lee Greenwood, Former President Jimmy Carter, Jimmie Quillen, Minnie Pearl, the Mandrell sisters, and too many others to name. Another of his many experiences at WETB was his work with the Appalachian Fair every year, broadcasting live each day and interviewing visitors, crafters, the musical stars, and anyone who would talk to him.
He had a lifelong passion for music and was known in Washington County as the director of several choirs and choral groups. He loved composing, arranging, performance, teaching and anything that involved music. He also had a life-long love of theatre, having worked as an actor, producer, author, and director of numerous plays and skits. He held professional certifications from the New York Institute of Performing Arts, the American Guild of Variety Artists (AGVA), the American Federation of Radio & Television Artists (AFTRA), the Actor’s Equity Screen Actor’s Guild (SAG), and the Director’s Circle of the Metropolitan Opera Guild. Some of his honors include the Director of the Year Award from the American Guild of Choral Musicians; the Lifetime Achievement Award, and was named to the AGCM Circle of Excellence. He has a star hanging in the Silverstein Concert Gallery of Arts in New York City. Two honors of which he was especially proud were the United Nations’ Pablo Casals Medal for “Distinguished contributions toward music education”. Then in 1980 he received the George Washington Honor Medal from the Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge for the film “The Song of Freedom” which he produced, directed, and co-wrote.
A familiar figure on Capitol Hill in Nashville, he served in an advisory capacity to numerous members of both houses in the Tennessee legislature; served with the Tennessee Arts Commission’s Grant Evaluation Committee and the Tennessee Film and Music Commission. He was a member of the Capitol Hill Press Corps for 25+ years and enjoyed a unique relationship with several governors, the Legislature and members of the General Assembly leadership and staff. He was named an honorary member of the House of Representatives in 1997 and holds the rare distinction of receiving the Tennessee Outstanding Achievement Award, Tennessee’s second highest civilian award, from four governors (Dunn, Alexander, McWherter, and Sundquist).
He was the author of two cookbooks, most of the recipes being a result of his own creative mind; a book of poetry, and was a contributing author for the first edition of th Broadman Press’ “Dimensions in Church Drama” and holds the copyright for the choral workshop “The Choir in Worship.”
Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Clifford and Ada Banner Nelson, and is survived by a brother, Terry Nelson, of Telford, two nephews, Kevin Nelson and Thomas Nelson Briggs. Many cousins and special friends including Matthew Clark and Gail & Jerry Powers, are left to cherish his memory. He was a member of the Trinity Baptist Church, and was heavily involved in the choir and the drama department until he became unable to attend.
The celebration of life service will be on Thursday, June 12 at the Trinity Baptist Church where he was a member, with visitation from 4:00 pm to 7:30 pm. Dr. Mark Harrod and Bro. Jerry Powers will officiate, with eulogies given by Matthew Clark, a special friend, and Gail Powers, a special cousin.
In lieu of flowers, Steve requested that donations be made to either the music program at Trinity Baptist Church or to the building fund of the Mustard Seed Worship Center.
Please remember that Steve was a great believer in casual dress, so as he would say, “Come thou, and do likewise.”