Monte Kit Nelson

Monte Kit Nelson, 78, of Murphy, N.C., passed away Friday, March 13, 2026. He was born in Andrews, N.C., to Helen Kilpatrick Hancock of Dacula, Ga., and the late Gilbert Nelson. He was a U.S. Army veteran. His accomplishments were the National Defense, Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Two Bronze Service Stars, Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device, Combat Infantryman Badge, Army Commendation Medal and Bronze Star Medal. Monte worked as a carpenter. He loved spoiling and spending time with his grandchildren. He enjoyed being outdoors, wrestling and watching NASCAR racing. Monte loved his furbaby, Oscar. He attended Landmark Baptist Church. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Tim, Gary and Dusty Nelson. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his life companion of 43 years, Linda Mack Cole; five children, Scott Cole (Hope) of Murphy, Monica Nelson of Murphy, Melanie Nelson of Ohio, Lisa Sutton (Tim) of Whittier, N.C., and Mickie Cole Amos; two sisters, Gail Tucker of Dacula, Ga., and Cathy Queen of South Carolina; 17 grandchildren, Amber McDonald (Kendric), Brook Cole, Rachel Sisum (Gage), Isaac Cole (Taryn), Elijah Cole, Logan Dockery, Christopher Garrett, Kelsie Nelson, Kristen Nelson, Isaiah Nelson, Zach Nelson, Trevor Sutton (Nikki), Spencer Sutton, Tristin Sutton (Sarah), Amanda Emerick (Matt), Savannah Hardin (Adam) and Zach Amos (Ali); and 13 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, at Townson-Rose Funeral Home Chapel in Murphy. Preachers Kendric McDonald, Steve West and Scott Cole will officiate. Music will be provided by his great-granddaughter, Ella McDonald, and Landmark Baptist Church. Burial will be in the Peachtree Community Cemetery with military graveside rites conducted by American Legion Post 96 Murphy, American Legion Post 532 Hayesville, VFW Post 6812 Hayesville and the Marine Corps League, Marble. Pallbearers will be Zach Amos, Trevor Sutton, Tristin Sutton, Isaac Cole, Spencer Sutton, Elijah Cole, Mason and Carson Lovingood. Honorary pallbearers will be Gene Kephart, Eric Hass and Gage Sisum. The family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, at Townson-Rose Funeral Home in Murphy. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Peachtree Community Cemetery, Cemetery Fund c/o Trevis Hicks, 5 TJ Lane, Murphy, NC 28906. Townson-Rose Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements. You may send tributes to the family at townson-rose.com.