On September 18, 1970, seven local citizens came together to incorporate the Northern Seven Corporation of Alabama, namely Dr. James I. Dawson, Mr. Charles L. Ray, Jr., Mr. James W. Friend, Mr. Larry Hamilton, Ms. Ida Kilgore, Mr. R. E. Nelms and Mr. Charles Ray, Sr. Mr. Charles L. Ray, Jr., was named President and Managing Director of the Board of Directors.

They operated as Memorial Funeral Home with the guiding principle and philosophy that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, without regarding for their background, during their loss of a loved one. Memorial Funeral Home later merged with Welch & Nelms Funeral Home and Nelms Memorial Funeral Home has continued to provide professional, dignified and caring services within the Huntsville/Madison County and adjoining communities for over 46 years.