She was 15 years old, I was 18. I had just moved to Atlanta to join the LeFevres gospel singing group. Her dad, Rex Nelon owned the group. She wanted to learn to drive and I wanted to learn to swim. She drove my 1966 Mustang on narrow back roads and in light traffic (not something I endorse) but we had fun and plenty of laughs.
She jumped in the pool where I lived and called for me to jump from the diving board. I walked to the edge, comtemplating, talking to myself, but I never convinced myself to do it. In hindsight, we likely both would have drowned.
Our regular hangout was Krystal Burgers. Our standard order was four Krystal burgers and a chocolate shake. Our metabolisms could handle that then.
She became one of the sweetest people I have ever known. Genuine. Loving. Friendly. True. The world will miss her laughter, her voice, and her friendship. We mourn Kelly, Jason, Amber, and we are praying for Autumn, Todd, Rhonda, Jason’s family and their extended families.
Philippians 1:22-23: If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two….
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Janet Paschal 
Thank you for sharing such a heartfelt tribute to Kelly.
It’s clear that she touched many lives with her kindness, laughter, and incredible talent. The memories you shared of your time together—driving down back roads, diving into the pool, and enjoying Krystal Burgers—paint a beautiful picture of a cherished friendship.
Kelly’s legacy in gospel music and the warmth she brought to everyone around her will never be forgotten. My heart goes out to you and all who loved her during this difficult time.
May we all hold onto the joy she brought into our lives and the love she shared so freely.Sending prayers and love to you, Jason, Amber, and all of Kelly’s family and friends.
May you find comfort in each other and in the beautiful memories you created together.
With deepest sympathy,
A. J. Baltes
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Thank you sincerely for your thoughts and prayers.
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I knew her well through the music store but not like you did. What a horrible tragedy. I’m so sorry for your loss.
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Thank you, Joey…
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just heartbroken over this news… condolences to you Janet on the loss of such a friend…
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Thank you, sir!
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They were such an amazing family and a wonderful family of singers. My pastor and myself we’re getting ready to fly just three days ago from Siou lookout, Ontario, Canada to Sandy lake Ontario Canada to be featured speakers at an old fashioned tent revival. Connections could not be made correctly and we ended up returning to our homes. From the two little Towns in Canada, we found out they were 840 miles apart and the man making the reservations wanted to put us in a four seater plane. Not for us. I pray for their family and friends. What a loss to southern gospel music.
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They truly were amazing…
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I’m praying for you during this time of sorrow. I know you’re hurting; we all are, to a lesser degree. I’m so grateful for their ministry through the years, and know that they were called Home because they have finished their race. Praise God! And, Lord, please help their family and friends to get through the coming days. Amen.
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Amen! Their journey is now complete!!
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Although I do not remember Kelly Nelon, I know that the Nelon’s are great singers and seem to be wonderful people. I share your grief in knowing that another of God’s children have gone on, but also rejoice that she is now in the presence of The Lord.
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Thank you, sir, for your prayers. I am grateful!
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Good morning, Janet, You were the first person I thought of when I saw the Facebook post last night about Kelly, Jason, Amber and her husband. My thoughts and prayers are with you and their families. Earth’s loss is Heaven’s gain and how much sweeter is Heaven sounding.
Teresa ❤️🙏🏻❤️
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Thank you, dear Teresa.
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I remember watching you tell this story on a YouTube video. I didn’t “know” them but have enjoyed their music and witness. They sang at our small worship service in Florida this past March and then I had the awesome experience to see them again at Family Fest in May. My heart aches for those still here. As Mark says they are kicking up gold dust and I’m sure they have already taken their place in the choir.
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I think Mark is right! God bless you!!
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Janet,
I have followed you all for ever. I am so sorry for the loss of your close friend!
May the God of all comfort wrap you in His loving arms as well as all affected by this loss.
Love you Janet
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Thank you for this. Thank you.
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Thanks for sharing this Janet. I had the pleasure of seeing The Nelons in concert several times and they were great! I can’t even imagine how much fun they are having in Heaven. May God continue to lift up the family during this time.
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Amen, Jeremy!
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I woke up this morning thinking that I had dreamed this tragedy only to realize that it was unfortunately reality. Continued prayers for you, Janet, and the families left behind. May God pour His love into your grieving heart.
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Thank you, dear Deb!
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What a beautiful tribute. I am so very sorry for your loss. I know Kelly only by reputation, having lived in Smyrna, Georgia. The entire family is well-regarded in Cobb County.
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Thank you. They were great people!
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Prayers for you Janet. I met you all in Gallipolis, Oh when Kelly was 15 and you were 18. You came there four times a year. We all started writing back and forth. God’s heaven is so much richer with Kelly home. God bless you!
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Thank you for the sweet reminder, Heidi.
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Thank you Janet for the kind words and thoughts about the Nelons. Its hard to keep up to date and find out what’s happening in the US with gospel singers. The news came as a shock to me, with a few tears. Having met and sat around talking with them, as you have many times. They were so busy & enjoying what they do.
It will be sad days on the cruise. They leave a gap. Good to hear you are busy for the Lord, thank you for sharing your experiences of the family.
In the Lord
Mark Purchase
Auckland New Zealand
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God bless you, Mark. Your prayers are appreciated!
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Loved The LeFevres and The Rex Nelon Singers. So hard to believe. Thanks for the memories. God bless you, Janet. Always looked for to the group coming to Channel 16 in Greenville. Both Jimmy and Joanne Thompson are gone. What a reunion awaits us all!
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Good, good days back then. Thanks for the reminder!
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I’m so sorry for the loss of your sweet friend …What a joy to watch her sing all these years… I’ve sung many of yours and a few of the Nelons’ song,also. Every post I see on FB, I tear up for her babygirl left behind to pick up the pieces of a family shattered. GOD does pick up the pieces and rearrange them for a new face of victory. HE is iur VICTOR and she will do fine, with the help of sooo many who love her. Praying for her baby as well. May OUR LORD BE OH SO GLORIFIED IN THIS TRAGEDY.
🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
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Yes! He always makes a way…. Many prayers going up!
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Thank you for your comments on Kelly & the LeFevres photo. First time I saw you with the LeFevres was shortly after you joined the group. They sang at Medinah Temple downtown Chicago at a big Lloyd Orrell concert. I still have all my LPs from those days. I was so proud of you proclaiming the gospel in music during the JS international crusades, then stepping out for a solo career.
The Nelons were always on top of their game no matter who the personnel was. First class…all the way!!! We had them several times at my home church; once was for a 4-day revival. Our church had a gym, so our college & career class played volleyball against The Nelons for a couple of nights. They came to hour house for meals. They loved our dog. Kelly said that it looked like their dog back home. My wife & I are nub hearing this news of the crash.
I’ve read comments on secular websites. Non-Christians comments challenging if there really is a true God. First of all, God is not surprised. What happened was His will. We are not to understand, but trust Him through this situation. I pray that many will come to know Christ through the testimony & music of The Nelons for the days ahead.
I think of the project you did with The Nelons back 30 years ago: A Promised Reunion. Now that could be referred to as “Part One” because one day when there is the final promised reunion In heaven, Part Two will be on a much grand & glorious scale.
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Amen, Kenny! Well said!
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Such fitting words of memories, tribute, and the certainty of gospel hope, Janet. In Christ’s Fellowship and Comfort,
Jim Brown, San Jose CA
(1 John 3:1-3)
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God Bless you for your encouragement and prayers for all, sir!
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Sorry you lost your friends. Maranatha. I remember you from your Toronto concerts.
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Thank you, Ken! O, Canada…
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Having grown up on the homecoming videos as a kid in the early 2000s, I’ve followed you and the Nelons long enough to know y’all were so close and that you and Kelly weren’t just close friends, but like sisters. When I learned what had happened on the following day, you were one of the first that came to mind. I’m so sorry for this tragic loss to you and everyone that either was part of the group or closely attached, especially Autumn. I have and will continue to pray for her, you, and all the family and friends that the Good Lord will give all of you comfort and peace in the days and years ahead.
I Corinthians 15: 55-57
55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
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Amen, Ryan!!
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Dear Janet, I am so sorry for the loss of your precious friend. I have enjoyed the Nelons singing (and yours) for many years through the Gaither videos, 30+ years now. Knowing they are now singing in front of the One they sang about all these years is worth it all. May God comfort you and their family members and friends in the days to come. Maranatha, it could be today.
Love, Rebecca
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Thank you, Rebecca, for your great reminder!
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Loss. So difficult. This loss is almost overwhelming. My journey with The Nelons began when I went to visit an aunt and she was playing a Rex Nelon Singers album. at 8 years old I sat next to the stereo and was hooked. My aunt could tell that I enjoyed the music so she gave me all the Lefevers and Rex Nelon Singers music she had. I listened to every song, learned them all by heart, studied the harmony and became better at singing harmony as a result.
Years later, I became blessed to know Jerry and Kelly as dear friends and later Jason and Amber as well. Jason and Kelly ministered to me and prayed with me when I lost my mom in 2016-Thanksgiving Day and then my dad just 4 months later. Kelly and Jason always made me feel welcomed and included and like family in many ways. I treasured them. 28 years of friendship and I am devastated of this loss. I don’t understand it, but then HIS ways are higher than ours. God arranges and orchestrates. He simply ask that we trust him. So, I do and hopefully the pain lessens soon.
I am reminded of a song you sang with them during your tenure. “I Wanna Go”. I loved that song. Seems appropriate for now….
Blessings and prayers in your loss as well…..
Silas
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What a lovely tribute, Silas. How wonderful to know that we will see them again!
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Hi Janet,
A beautiful tribute to a beautiful soul. A great loss to the gospel music community, but she, her husband, daughter and son-in-law are singing at the throne.
Thank you.
David
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You are so right, sir!
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Janet, if it is alright to ask, why did you not have any solo song or verse, at the Nelon’s Memorial Service? I love your singing, as well as the Nelons. Thank you and God Bless You, John Mills, Skiatook Oklahoma
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Simple answer, I was not asked. I was off the tour for a couple of years while my mom was battling Alzheimer’s. I’m not even sure they knew I would be there.
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Thought of and prayed often for the Nelon family, friends and followers lately. I have wounderful memories of you and the Rex Nelon Singer’s at a little country church near Bluffton Indiana…we called it Old Salem Church but not sure if that is its official name. You two ‘older’ girls were an inspiration to this almost teenager at the time. I still have several albums and listen often to them. Blessings Janet… God is good ALL the time!!
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Amen!
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Janet , not sure if you remember us, I’m Larry Gentry’s sister (Sandra) I was so saddened to hear about Kelly and the family. I remember when she first went on stage with the Nelson’s . Larry played bass guitar for Lefevers then Nelson’s . We followed you guys everywhere. My mother (JoDell) loved you and your music. I pray our comforting God will hold you tight as you mourn their loss. 🙏♥️
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What a nice surprise to hear from you, Sandra! Your entire family was so nice to me and to everyone.
Thank you for your thoughtfulness. James was correct when he said we do not know what a day will bring..
Bless you for reaching out.
Love,
Janet
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