MAGNOLIA - Erik Shawn Nelson of Magnolia, DE passed away on Thursday, January 5, 2012 due to injuries sustained in an automobile accident. He was 27. Erik was born November 19, 1984 in Coshocton, Ohio, the son of Rick L. Nelson of Dover, and Sharon Elaine Nelson of Magnolia. He worked as a Chef for Ruby Tuesday in Milford. Erik was an avid tennis player and fan of the Baltimore Orioles. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and watching movies. He also enjoyed spending time with his nephew, Maddox. Erik would always have the biggest smile on his face whenever he was with Maddox and always looked forward to the next time he would see him. He was a very soft spoken young man whom never spoke an unkind word of anyone. He had a heart of gold. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his step-mother, Deby Nelson of Dover; three sisters, Tiffani Dawn Holland, her husband Robert, and their son Maddox of Smyrna, Kristin Lenae Nelson of Baltimore, Md., and Shayla Nikkay Nelson of Magnolia; his brother, Cody Laray Nelson of Magnolia, who was his best friend and whom he spent most of his time with; paternal grandmother, Retha Strayer of Stafford, Va.; maternal grandmother, Crystal Welch of Coshocton, Ohio; a step sister, Courtney A. Gregory of Dover; and a step-brother, Christopher G. Harrington of Smyrna. Funeral services will be 12 noon, Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012 at Calvary Assembly of God, located at 1141 East Lebanon Rd., Dover, where friends may call at 10 a.m. Burial will be held in Barratts Chapel Cemetery near Frederica. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to Faith Baptist Church, 1575 Bryn Zion Rd., Smyrna, DE 19977 or to Calvary Assembly of God, 1141 East Lebanon Rd., Dover, DE 19901. Condolence letters may be sent by visiting www.fariesfuneralhome.com.