A former county supervisor whom many in the community rememberfondly died Sunday at his home at age 80.

Nelson Case was widely known and respected for his business andcounty government acumen, current officials said. He served asDistrict Five supervisor from 1960 to 1967.

“He was just sort of a legend in Lincoln County,” Circuit ClerkTerry Lynn Watkins said.

Chancery Clerk Tillmon Bishop agreed.

“In the campaigning I did for my two terms, I found everyoneknew him and continued to rely on his knowledge of countygovernment,” he said.

Case is perhaps best remembered for extending the black ribbonof pavement into the county.

“He was one of the first to start blacktopping the littlefarm-to-market roads. I believe his administration was the first tocarry that out into the county,” said Board of SupervisorsPresident Bobby J. Watts.

“A lot of them are well-worn now, but they’re still there.”

Case’s daughter, Janet Murray of Brookhaven, said it was anendeavor he was proud of.

“I don’t remember how many miles of gravel roads were pavedwhile he was in office, but it was quite a few,” she said. “Hecould remember the exact mileage and delighted in telling you aboutit.”

Murray said her father was also proud that King’s DaughtersMedical Center was established during his tenure.

Case didn’t relax when he left the county board. Instead, hislife became even busier, Murray said.

“His hobby was work. He had no other hobbies,” she said. “Hecontinued to keep both businesses operating until his death. At onetime, he employed about 20 people.”

After losing the a bid for re-election in 1967, Case beganworking with Shelton Richardson, who owned a large mobile homebusiness in Brookhaven.

In 1972, Case opened his own mobile home business and startedBig River Discount Mobile Homes in Port Gibson. He moved thebusiness to Natchez around 1977.

In 1988, Case returned to Brookhaven and opened Silver DollarDiscount Mobile Homes while continuing to operate the Big Riverdealership in Natchez.

Murray said Case took sick with the illness that would kill himwhile on a business trip that took him around the state Nov. 6.

“He was a good businessman. I didn’t know him real well, but Iliked him,” Watts said.

Murray said she could remember many times when Case wasconsulted about county issues even after he left the board and saidher father always was helping others.

“Even after he left the board, he continued to help people. Hewas a very giving person,” she said. “We’re going to miss him.”

Funeral services are held at 1 p.m. Wednesday at PhiladelphiaBaptist Church in Lincoln County.