Kelly Nelon Clark (December 1, 1959 – July 26, 2024) was an American inspirational Christian and southern gospel vocalist. Nelon was the head of the family singing group known as the Nelons. The group was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2016. She had continued the Nelon singing name after her father, gospel singer Rex Nelon. Nelon won Singing News Fan Awards in the categories of Favorite Alto and Favorite Female Vocalist in 1980, 1981, 1982, 1987, and 1990. She was associated with Bill Gaither's Homecoming events. In 2017, she released a memoir titled “Coffee with Kelly; Reflections of Hope and Humor”. She and six others including her husband and daughter died on July 26, 2024, after their private plane crashed into a remote area in Campbell County, Wyoming.

Life and career

The daughter of gospel music singer Rex Nelon and his wife Shirley (née Reeves), Kelly Nelon and her brother, Todd Nelon, were raised in Smyrna, Georgia. When she was a teenager, Nelon Clark was invited to join the southern gospel group the LeFevres. When the group disbanded in the late 1970s, she became part of her father's southern gospel group, the Rex Nelon Singers. Following his death in 2000, she remained with the group, singing alto, and changing the group's name to The Nelons. At the time of her death, Nelon had been with the group for more than 40 years. She recorded solo albums while traveling with the Nelons, including Her Father's Child in 1983, Praise Him Now in 1985, Called by Love in 1988, KNT in 1990, and Steadfast Heart in 1992. Nelon Clark appeared on television in Resurrection and Homicide Hunter, where she played the role of Carol Parmer. She also starred in the films The Old Rugged Cross and His Love Is Blind. Kelly also co-hosted the national cable network and syndicated southern gospel music series, "Sing Out America" as well as performing on the program as a semi-regular with the Rex Nelon Singers and as a soloist, beginning in 1981 and continuing into the early 90's.

Personal life

Nelon Clark was married to Jerry Thompson, the former lead singer of the Nelons, for almost 20 years. The couple divorced in 1998. Together, they had two daughters, Amber and Autumn. Nelon Clark remarried in 2001 to Jason Clark, who became the new lead singer of the Nelons. Both of Nelon Clark's daughters became members of the Nelons, with Amber singing soprano beginning in 2002 and Autumn singing alto, as well as 2nd soprano, beginning in 2014.

Death

Kelly Nelon Clark, husband Jason, daughter Amber, and son-in-law Nathan Kistler were among the seven people killed in a plane crash on Friday July 26, 2024, in a remote area of Campbell County, Wyoming, just north of Gillette, Wyoming. The plane and passengers were en route to Seattle, Washington to embark on a Gaither Homecoming cruise to Alaska. Also killed in the crash were Nelon Clark's assistant, Melodi Hodges, pilot Larry Haynie, and Haynie's wife, Melissa Haynie. At the time of their deaths, Nelon Clark and her husband lived in the Atlanta area. There, she and her husband owned and operated "Venue 1074", a farm with a wedding and event location in Roopville, Georgia. On August 6, 2024, a memorial service for Nelon Clark and her family members lost in the crash was held at Roopville Road Baptist Church in Roopville, Georgia. The service was live-streamed on YouTube. Music during the service was provided by the Isaacs, the Gaither Vocal Band, Karen Peck Gooch, Janet Paschal, Michael English, and Charlotte Ritchie. Remembrances of the Nelons were offered by Bill Gaither, Gloria Gaither, Todd Nelon, Bruce Snead, Dave Kistler as well as the church's pastors, Billy Wood and Stephen Peeples.

Discography

Solo albums

1983: Her Father's Child 1985: Praise Him Now 1988: Called by Love 1990: KNT 1992: Steadfast Heart

With the LeFevres

1975: Experience the LeFevres 1976: Gospel Music U.S.A. 1977: Sing Your Request 1977: Singing 'Till He Comes

With the Rex Nelon Singers

1977: I've Never Been This Homesick Before 1977: The Sun's Coming Up 1978: Live 1979: Feelings 1980: Expressions of Love 1980: One More Song 1980: Sing the Gospel 1981: One Step Closer 1982: Feeling at Home 1983: We Shall Behold the King 1984: The Best & a Whole Lot More

As the Nelons

1985: In One Accord 1986: Journeys 1987: Thanks 1988: Get Ready 1989: Let the Redeemed Say So 1990: The Best of Times 1991: One Less Stone 1991: A New Generation 1992: Right on Time 1993: Kelly Nelon Thompson & the Nelons 1994: A Promised Reunion 1994: He's My Comfort 1994: Triumphant 1995: Hallelujah Live 1996: We're Glad You're Here 1997: We've Got to Praise Him 1997: Thanks Live 1997: All Rise Live 1998: Peace Within the Walls 1999: A Journey 2000: Following After 2001: Season of Song 1 Nelon Classics 2002: United for Christ 2003: Season of Song 2 2004: The Light of Home 2008: You Are God 2010: Beside Still Waters 2011: Come On Home 2012: Evening in December 2014: Hymns: The A Capella Sessions 2016: Stronger Together EP 2016: Family Harmony 2016: A Nelon Family Christmas 2017: The Americana Sessions 2018: A Winter Carol 2020: Peace at Last 2022: We Need a Little Christmas 2023: Beautiful 2024: Loving You (the final album that Nelon Clark appeared on, released posthumously shortly after her death)

Guest appearances on other albums

1985: First Call - An Evening in December, song "Evening in December""

References

External links

Kelly Nelon Clark at IMDb Kelly Nelon Clark discography at Discogs The Nelons official website

Dieser Artikel basiert auf dem Artikel Clark, Kelly Nelon aus der freien Enzyklopädie Wikipedia und steht unter der GNU-Lizenz für freie Dokumentation. In der Wikipedia ist eine Liste der Autoren verfügbar.