Nelson Anthony Irvin

Obituary For Nelson Anthony Irvin

Nelson Anthony Irvin, 56, of Louisville, transitioned on Friday, April 26, 2024 at Norton Audubon Hospital.

Visitation 11-1 Saturday, May 4, 2024 at Community Missionary Baptist Church 4909 E. Indian Trail. Funeral to follow at 1pm. Burial 10am Monday, May 6, 2024 at Louisville Cemetery.


Nelson Anthony Irvin was born on December 12, 1967 in Louisville, KY to the late Sarah Irvin and the late Nelson Irvin. A life well lived found closure with the death of Nelson Anthony Irvin on April 26, 2024 at the age of 56. As doctors were unable to care for him any longer, he left this world to be seen by the Greatest Physician with the highest credentials and experience, our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus. He was preceded in death by his two sisters: Loretta Irvin Adams and Lisa Irvin Hill.

Nelson accepted Christ Jesus at an early age and became a member of Community Baptist Church where he sung in the children’s and teen’s choir, served on the Usher Board, Co-Chair for Men’s Day, occasionally taught the Sunday School adult class, and served as the secretary of Sunday School. He regularly attended Sunday School classes, starting from a child in the nursey to an adult in the young adult class. After graduating from Moore High School, he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering at the University of Louisville Speed School. On May 19, 1997 he married his life-long partner and friend, Debra. Shortly afterwards, they moved to Florence/Union, KY area. While living in Northern KY, Nelson pursued a Master of Science degree in Information Systems at the Northern Kentucky University. As he continued his Christian journey, he joined First Baptist Church of Elsmere, Ky where he served as a trustee, Sunday School teacher, VBS teacher, President/Chair of Men’s Day, and became a member of the Men’s Choir while serving as a board member of Next Level Mentoring Program. After completing his Master Degree, he relocated back to the Louisville KY area in which he transferred his church membership to Harrods Creek Baptist Church. There he became known as the church photographer, taking pictures during major church events which also led him to creating the church’s website and creating a church directory.

Nelson enjoyed several sports activities which included playing tennis, weight lifting and bowling. He participated in bowling leagues throughout his youth and adulthood. He was very competitive in bowling and was able to score a 300 a few times (or more) during leagues. He served as the bowling league’s secretary at Fern Valley Strikes & Spare for 10 years.

Nelson spent the majority of his career employed by Gallatin Steel (Nucor Steel Gallatin) for over 20 years as an Information Technology System Engineer and later as a Business Analyst. While at Gallatin Steel, he became certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP) and a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE).

Nelson valued time with his family. Growing up, he enjoyed staying after church with his father who was a trustee. As a youth, he liked hanging out with his baby sister (Stacey) who was sometimes mistaken as his twin sister (they were 19 months apart). He enjoyed having conversations with his mother about what was going on in the news and the world. They often related their talks to the Bible. He often spent time connecting with his two oldest sisters, reminiscing about the “good old days”. Family was important to him. He always made himself available for his family, being an advisor, an educator, a mentor, and as a trusted consultant to them. He would also treat his nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and close friends the same.

Nelson leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife of 27 years of marriage, Debra Mills-Irvin, his sister, Stacey Evette Irvin of Louisville, KY, his sister-in-law, Allicia Mills of Louisville, Ky, three brothers-in-law: Melvin Mills, Randall Mills, and Kelvin Mills of Campbellsville, KY, two Godsons: Christien Carter and Zachary Ingram of Northern KY and host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins, and friends