Representative Sheila Clark Nelson attended Richmond County Public Schools and graduated from Lucy C. Laney High School in 1974. In February 1979, she began her career at the Augusta Main Post Office, where she held several positions throughout her years of dedicated service. After more than 34 years of commitment, she retired in May 2013.

Beyond her professional career, Representative Nelson has been a devoted volunteer. She has served as a Community Coach, Mentor to women and teenagers, and contributed to the Georgia Chapter of The Blind and Physically Handicapped. She is also an active member of Gardner Grove Baptist Church in Augusta, GA. Her service and leadership have been recognized by numerous organizations, including the Augusta Black Chamber of Commerce, the Augusta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, the CSRA Business League, the Lucy C. Laney Athletic Department, and the Lucy C. Laney Alumni Association.

In 2016, Representative Nelson was elected to the Georgia General Assembly as the State Representative for House District 125. She served the community with trust and dignity for six years. During her time in office, she was an active member of the Georgia Democratic Caucus, the Women’s Caucus, the Working Families Caucus, and the Georgia Black Caucus. She was celebrated as a “New Voice” who kept her constituents informed and engaged.

Her personal joys include attending sporting events, shopping, and traveling.

Representative Nelson is the devoted mother of Marcus Nelson, Joycelyn Mack, and Jacquelyn Nelson; the loving grandmother of Marcus Jr. and Myiesha Nelson, Desean, Casey, and Kyrie Mack, and Jayla Lewis; and the cherished great-grandmother of Messiah Nelson.