Most of you have heard me talk about “Uncle G” – Brother George Nelson. Uncle G was made April 8, 1939 at Zeta Alpha Chapter at Tennessee State University (I have his original membership certificate). After graduating from Tennessee State he served in World War II and then landed in Buffalo, NY, where he was an active in the Theta Sigma Chapter and lived next door to Dr. I.L. Scruggs. Uncle G is 89 years young and can tell you SIGMA STORIES for days. His memory is still very keen. A few years ago, he gave me a number of his old Sigma pictures and said “young man, you take care of these for me.” One picture that he did not give me, but he let me make a copy was his 1940 Conclave Picture at Tuskegee University. It was his first Conclave and he was his chapter delegate. There is a picture in the 1983 Crescent of Uncle G standing in a picture with Dr. George Washington Carver. Uncle G has an interesting story about how he got into that picture.
One day while going through his old photo albums, I found a picture of Uncle G with Founder Taylor at Tuskegee and Bro. Russell Gideon. I said, you met Founder Taylor, he said, I sure did. Right at the George Washington Carver statue at Tuskegee. The pictures are extremely small, so I hope that you can view them. One picture has Bro. Nelson (center) with Bro. Russel Giedon and Founder Taylor and the other picture has Founder Taylor and Bro. Giedon. These were taken December 30, 1940.
In addition, Bro. V. Cox out of Chicago sent me this listing of Zeta Alpha Chapter from 1940. They list Uncle G as George Melson (although its Nelson) and his line name was Cool-Papa, even 69 years later, if you know Bro. Nelson, or ever met him, that name is right on the money. He is one of the coolest brothers you will ever want to meet.
Uncle G currently lives in Waverly, Tennessee (outside of Nashville) and still has a strong zeal and zest for life. As a matter of fact, he called me last night to let me know he got his Crescent Magazine, but I was in class when he called and owe him a call tonight.
Today in Sigma History – Uncle G – Brother George W. Nelson “Cool Papa” – Conclave 1940 – December 30 – Tuskegee, Alabama. Uncle G meets Founder Taylor