Mr. Roy Dabney Nelms, 89, of 810 Benson St, Hartwell, died Saturday, May 15 at Hart Care Center.

Born on November 1, 1920 in Danielsville GA, he was the son of the late William Elbert Nelms and Jessie Maud Sartain Nelms.Mr. Nelms was former Police Chief of Royston for 6 years and retired Police Chief of Hartwell, with over twenty-four years of service.He was a member of the Nancy Hart Masonic Lodge # 690, Nancy Hart Order of the Eastern Star # 398, former member of the Hartwell Lions Club and various Police Fraternities.He was a member of the Flat Shoals Baptist Church, a deacon, former SS and Training Union Director and served on several various committees.Mr. Nelms was a WW II U.S. Army Air Corps veteran.

Mr. Nelms is survived by his wife, Willie Mae Vickery Nelms of Hartwell; two sons, Danny Nelms and his wife Brenda of Woodstock and Randy Nelms and his wife Tricia of Kennesaw; a sister: Sara N. Winn of Hartwell; four grandchildren, Jason Nelms, Adrienne Capers, Jennifer Trout and Russell Nelms; six great-grandchildren also survive.He was preceded in death by five brothers: Zan Nelms, Sam Nelms, Clyde Nelms, Hope Nelms and Ralph Nelms.

Funeral service will be Tuesday, May 18, 2010 in the Chapel of the Strickland Funeral Home with Rev. Mike Fugate officiating.Burial will be in the Nancy Hart Memorial Park.

The body is at the Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell, where the family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday night.Memorials may be made to Flat Shoals Baptist Church, 2999 Bowersville Hwy, Bowersville GA 30516.

The Strickland Funeral Home - Hartwell Chapel is in charge of all arrangements.On-line condolences can be sent to the family at www.stricklandfh.com.