Alan Nunnelee

1958 - 2015

Alan Nunnelee

Tupelo

Patrick Alan Nunnelee, 56, of Tupelo, Mississippi went to be with the Lord on February 6, 2015 with his family by his side.

He was born in Tupelo on October 9, 1958 to Sandra and Pat Nunnelee and spent most of his childhood in Columbus, Mississippi. His family moved to Clinton, Mississippi in 1975, where he graduated from Clinton High School in 1976. Alan attended Mississippi State University where he served in the Student Government Association and graduated with a degree in Marketing in 1980. After graduation, he went to work with American Funeral Insurance Company selling life insurance. He fell in love and married Tori Bedells Nunnelee of Clinton on April 10, 1982. The company promoted him to Regional Sales Manager in 1987, and Alan transferred his family to Morristown, Tennessee where they lived for seven years. In 1994, he was promoted to National Sales Manager and returned to Mississippi. Alan and his father formed another life insurance company, Allied Funeral Associates, in 1996, and he spent the remaining years of his life building their company into a small-business success story.

Alan was known to many as a servant. Some may remember him through his work with the Mississippi Lions Club Eye Bank and donor recovery program. During his college years he was diagnosed with an eye condition, which ultimately caused him to lose his sight. Through the loving acts of two donors, he received cornea transplants, which restored his eyesight. He spoke in churches and civic groups all over Mississippi telling his story. He also served his church faithfully, teaching Sunday School classes of all ages and serving as deacon at First Baptist Church in Morristown and later at Calvary Baptist Church in Tupelo.

Alan's servant heart prompted him to be exceptionally active in the political arena. He spent many years campaigning for political candidates and issues whose views represented his conservative values. In 1995 he was elected to the Mississippi State Senate. He served the people of North Mississippi for 15 years, chairing multiple committees and tirelessly traveling back and forth to the Capitol. Alan was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 2010 where he served until his death. He took great joy in telling people of his beloved Mississippi. His life's work revolved around protecting and promoting the family, defending the lives of unborn babies, and cultivating an environment for job creation.

Alan is survived by his wife Tori and their three children, Reed (Kemily), Emily (Morris), and Nathan (Colleen). Alan referred to his children's spouses as his daughters-in-love and son-in-love, "because the relationship is created by love and not by law." He also leaves behind three grandchildren, Thomas, Harper, and a grandson expected in April; his parents Sandra and Pat; four sisters, Lisa (Carl), Dodie (Scott), Shannon (Jimmy), and Ammi (Brian); two brothers, Joshua (Allie) and Matthew (Olivia); his mother-in-love, Pat Bedells, and brother-in-love, Barry Bedells (Karen); eighteen nieces and nephews; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Visitation services will be held at Calvary Baptist Church in Tupelo on Sunday from 2-5 pm and Monday from 12-2 pm. The funeral service will begin at 2:30 pm at Calvary. W. E. Pegues Funeral Directors is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Tupelo Children's Mansion, PO Box 167, Tupelo, MS 38802 and New Beginnings International Children's and Family Services, PO Box 7055, Tupelo, MS 38802.

Expressions of sympathy may be left at www.peguesfuneralhome.com