Photos by Kelly

Before his death, Nelson informed The SC that upon his transition, ‘Just put me on my rowing machine.’ To bring that request to fruition, our talented and generous friend Bruce McInroy designed a floral arrangement accompanied by floating candles that surrounded a platform on the seat of Nelson’s rowing machine, which supported the antique Asian hand painted leather covered box containing his ashes as it was ceremonially placed at the beginning of the service.  Bruce, a floral designer atNewberry Brothers, felt Nelson’s presence as he made his inspiring plan for the rowing machine a reality.  He was assisted in this creative labor of love by his partner Randy Vetter.  As the theatre curtains opened at the beginning of the tribute, ‘Nelson’s Throne’ was alone on the stage, a masterpiece with regal beauty.  Wish granted!

20 Comments

  1. Splendid! It certainly ranks as one of the very best arrangements I’ve ever seen… Like everything about Nelson and his girls.

  2. this is a lovely and beautiful tribute. i recently started reading your blog, and your love is an inspiration. thank you for your beautiful posts!

  3. Judith, I am speechless. Thank you for sharing this. Thinking of you and will be in touch soon.

    Sending love, J.

  4. Thank you for sharing this wonderful memorial to your dear Nelson, and including all of us in such a loving way. Sorry I haven’t been in touch, my computer was down, and just catching up now.

    Much love from England.

  5. It’s breathtaking. You made everything about this memorial so personal and meaningful, which is exactly how it should be.

  6. WOW. So elegant, so unusual, so vibrant and unique and colorful yet restful/soothing to behold. How stunning. And like others have written, clearly so like the man it honors! Again, I LOVE that this was done in the AME Church-now-theatre. A typical church seems too small for someone with a spirit like Nelson’s.

    Thank you so much for sharing this photo with us.

    Thinking of you and wishing you a blessed day. I hope you can get out in this sunshine today –

    Love,
    Janine

  7. Oh, my goodness. Nelson gave good thought to the appropriate memorial and the florist did a knock-out job.

  8. This just took my breath away! What an amazing tribute to an amazing man. Much love to you.

  9. Thank you for posting these pictures. This was the most meaningful tribute I have ever seen. It is also the most beautiful.

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