Mr. Nunnelly was born in Fairfield, Alabama on February 1, 1932 to Asa and Nell Nunnelly. He attended Fairfield High School, working a variety of jobs around the Birmingham area after graduation. After enlisting in the U.S. Air Force he served four years during the Korean conflict, stationed across various parts of the country and briefly overseas. Upon leaving the military, Mr. Nunnelly attended the University of Alabama, receiving a degree in Industrial Management in 1958, and started his career with the Southern Company the same year.
In 1956 he married the love of his life with the voice of an angel, Mary Ellen McCrary, and he was a devoted husband to Mary for 66 years. They started a family in Birmingham and relocated to Atlanta for a new career opportunity with the Southern Company. Mr. Nunnelly quickly progressed through roles with increasing responsibility over the course of his 31 years with the company, eventually becoming Executive Vice President. Following retirement he worked for a number of other organizations, including serving as a board member and consultant for McGriff, Seibels, & Williams, Inc., and Energy Insurance Mutual, before retiring (again) and assuming a newly created, full-time, unpaid, but highly prestigious role as “Dadoo”. He spent his remaining years in service of family – attending an impressive and vast array of activities and events in order to love on his ever expanding family.
Mr. Nunnelly is survived by his wife, Mary Ellen Nunnelly, and their three children; sons Paul Nunnelly (Bonita) and Jeff Nunnelly (Angie); and daughter Jill Yoder (Greg); 11 beloved grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am, Tuesday, January 3, 2023 at Dunwoody Baptist Church, with visitation from 10:00-11:00. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Dunwoody Baptist Church Samaritans Sunday School Class.
