Kelly Nelon Campbell Clark

Beloved Gospel Family The Nelons Involved in Fatal Plane Crash

 She and her family were not on the list.

July 26, 2024 – Nashville, TN

One of America’s most cherished Gospel music families, The Nelons, were involved in a tragic plane crash on Friday afternoon. The family was en route to join the Gaither Homecoming Cruise to Alaska when the accident occurred. The crash claimed the lives of Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark, their daughter Amber and son-in-law Nathan Kistler, their assistant Melodi Hodges, and the pilot Larry Haynie and his wife Melissa. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is currently investigating the accident.

Autumn Nelon Streetman, Jason and Kelly’s youngest daughter, and her husband, Jamie Streetman, were not on the plane and arrived safely in Seattle. They were notified of the accident and brought to the hotel where fellow artists, including Bill and Gloria Gaither, gathered to support them. The community joined together to pray, sing, and offer their heartfelt condolences, pledging unwavering support during this difficult time.

Autumn and Jamie will return home to be with Kelly’s brother, Todd Nelon, and his wife, Rhonda, as they begin to navigate the challenging days ahead. The Nelon family, along with the Kistler, Haynie, and Hodges families, are in need of your thoughts and prayers.

A Statement from Autumn Nelon Streetman 

“As many of you have heard by now, my father and mother, Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark, along with my sister, Amber, and brother-in-law, Nathan, as well as our dear friends Melodi Hodges, Larry, and Melissa Haynie, were involved in a tragic plane crash on Friday. Thank you for the prayers that have been extended already to me, my husband, Jamie, and our soon-to-be-born baby boy, as well as Jason’s parents, Dan and Linda Clark. We appreciate your continued prayers, love, and support as we navigate the coming days.”

Kelly was an American inspirational Christian and southern gospel vocalist. She was associated with Bill Gaither's Homecoming events. Nelon Clark along with her family group, The Nelons, were inducted into the Gospel Music Association's Hall of Fame in 2016. She has won Singing News Fan Awards in the categories of Favorite Alto and Favorite Female Vocalist in 1980, 1981, 1982, 1987, and 1990.

Nelon Clark was from Atlanta, Georgia and was raised in Smyrna, Georgia. Her father, Rex Nelon, was a gospel singer. Nelon Clark was invited to join the southern gospel group The LeFevres, now Nelons, when she was young, and has sung with them for more than 40 years. She sings alto.

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 in the television shows Resurrection and Homicide Hunter, where she played the role of Carol Parmer. She also starred in the movies The Old Rugged Cross and His Love Is Blind.

Nelon Clark was married to Jerry Thompson, the former lead singer of the Nelons, for almost 20 years; they divorced in 1998.