Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
Add a Memory
Make a Donation
BORN
1958
DIED
2015
Alan Nunnelee Obituary
Elizabeth Parks, the spokeswoman in Nunnelee's congressional office, said he died Friday in his hometown of Tupelo, Mississippi.
Nunnelee had experienced a series of health problems in recent months. In June 2014, he had a stroke while surgeons were removing a tumor from his brain. In addition to chemotherapy and radiation, he underwent physical therapy and speech therapy to try to recover from the stroke.
In an email to supporters in August. 2014, Nunnelee said he had drawn strength from a Bible verse about giving thanks to God in all circumstances.
"I am glad the scripture in Thessalonians does not say to give thanks for all circumstances because I would have a difficult time being thankful for a tumor or a stroke, much less both," he wrote. "I have learned the way to approach the difficulty of stroke rehabilitation is to give thanks in all circumstances."
In late December, Nunnelee was hospitalized in Tupelo for treatment of a hematoma, a bleeding problem in his left leg. He was too ill to go to Washington in early January to be sworn in for his third two-year term, so House leaders let him take his oath from a federal judge in Mississippi. Nunnelee took the oath in the hospital, joined by a small group that included his wife, Tori.
In 2010, Nunnelee unseated Democrat Travis Childers, who had held north Mississippi's 1st District seat since mid-2008. Like many Republican candidates that year, Nunnelee campaigned by portraying the Democratic incumbent as beholden to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California. The Republicans won the House majority in that election, elevating John Boehner of Ohio to the speakership.
Nunnelee was a member of the House Appropriations Committee.
Although he was able to make few campaign appearances in 2014, Nunnelee easily defeated a Democratic challenger who ran a low-budget campaign and had never held public office. The Democrat, Ron Dickey, also had faced sharp criticism from veterans who said Dickey had misrepresented his own military experience by falsely claiming to have been a "Green Beret Veteran of Desert Storm."
Dickey said he served in the Army from May 1990 to May 1993 and was assigned for part of that time to work in a food-services support job for a Special Forces group at a South Carolina base. He said while he was not a Green Beret, he had a green beret as part of his uniform in the support job.
Before being elected to Congress, Nunnelee spent more than 15 years in the Mississippi Senate, where he eventually chaired the Appropriations Committee. In that role, Nunnelee worked to make the state budget writing process more transparent and easier for the general public to understand, said Democratic Sen. Hob Bryan of Amory. While Bryan said he and Nunnelee sometimes disagreed on issues, he said Nunnelee was honest and hard-working.
"He was just the sort of good, solid legislator you need in office," Bryan said.
When Nunnelee was in the state Senate, he pushed for tougher anti-abortion laws, including one that requires doctors to tell women in mandatory pre-abortion counseling that terminating a pregnancy increases the risk of breast cancer — an assertion that abortion-rights supporters say is inaccurate.
During his final state legislative session in 2010, when he was running for Congress, Nunnelee persuaded his colleagues to pass a bill specifying that no tax dollars would be spent on abortion if Mississippi ever creates a state-sponsored health exchange under the federal health overhaul law that President Barack Obama signed in 2010. Mississippi is among the states that has not created its own exchange, an online marketplace where people can buy health insurance.
"I think it's very important that Mississippi go on record as saying we don't want any taxpayer dollars spent to abort children in this state. And I cannot imagine anybody that would put politics over protecting children," Nunnelee said in an interview after the bill passed.
Nunnelee had overcome health challenges in the past. He was nearly blind in college because of keratoconus, a degenerative eye disease. He received a left cornea transplant in April 1980 and a right one in January 1982.
Nunnelee is survived by his wife, Tori, and their three grown children.
Copyright © 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Memories and Condolences
for Alan Nunnelee
34 Entries
Tina Johnson Sutherland
May 22, 2023
Dear Alan helped me get my darling husbands green card from England 12 years ago now... it was a crazy love story... At 45 I met and fell head over heels with John! Mr. Alan helped us when immigration gave us a hard time! My husband is now a million dollar realtor in FLORIDA and oh how he makes America great everyday! Mr. Alan knows we were the real deal and helped us I thank God often for this congressman and dear friend! RIP SIR
Dianne
February 16, 2015
I am very sorry for your loss. Representative Nunnelee will be fondly remembered with appreciation and admiration for all the lives he touched. Please allow our Heavenly Father to be your refuge and your strength as you face each day without him. My heartfelt condolences!
Mayes family
February 11, 2015
We send our love thoughts and prayers to the entire nunelee family we had the great pleasure of working with being neighbors with and most of all friendship we love you all and are thinking of you, he was truely a great man
Jane Spangler
February 10, 2015
May you find comfort and peace as you deal with the loss of your loved one.
Tom and Jane Huber
February 9, 2015
Our deepest condolences to the Nunnelee family, especially to Sandra and Pat, whom we've known for many, many years. What a beautiful life Alan has lived. He and your family have served God well. Our deepest sympathy to all of the family.
Tom and Jane Huber and family
Huber Funeral Home
Tell City/Cannelton, Indiana
Harold Gregory Jr.
February 9, 2015
Dear Family and Friends,
Saddened about the passing of Alan. He was a wonderful Christian man with a servants heart and he will be greatly missed by all whose lives he touched. Praying that God will comfort and keep the family with love and the peace that passes all understanding. His homegoing is being celebrated by the angels,as will ours when we will all be reunited in Heaven with Alan and the Lord Jesus.
God Bleed You,
Harold Gregory
Cordova,Tn
U. S. Marshal Dennis Erby
February 9, 2015
My deepest sympathy to your family. May God give you strength in your time of sorrow
February 8, 2015
My deepest sympathy to the family!
Martha Stewart Carden
Eddy Morris
February 8, 2015
So glad to know, that you were a child. That belonged to God. May your candle always burn.
Eddy Morris
February 8, 2015
Thank you Brother Nunnelee, for trying in helping get my disability. And, the time you spent trying to help. I will remember you always. May God keep you safe.
MIKE GUYTON
February 8, 2015
GOD BLESS ALL THE NUNNELEE FAMILY WE WILL MISS ALAN,HE WAS A GREAT MAN
Brenda
February 8, 2015
To the family, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I know that the death of a loved one causes much heartache and sadness. Although I did not know your loved one personally, I would still like to offer my condolences.
Please be assured that God is a God of comfort. "And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away."
Sincerely,
Brenda....California
Heddy-Dale Matthias, MD
February 8, 2015
Representative Nunnelee was a great friend to physicians, and an intelligent, thoughtful, and incisive leader for Mississippi at a state and federal level. His death will leave a large and sad hole for those of us who admired his grit, tenacity, and wisdowm.
February 8, 2015
Mrs. Nunnellee & family we extend our sympathy & prayers in your loss. Congressmen Nunnellee was an outstanding Christian gentlemen. He will be greatly missed by the State of Mississippi and the nation. Dwane & Donna Blair, Aberdeen, MS
Kay and Dean Deaton
February 8, 2015
Our sincere and deepest sympathy
Sue Nowell
February 8, 2015
My condolences to the Nunley family. He was a public figure but first and foremost he was husband, father, grandfather,beloved family member. Our family also suffered such a loss when our loved one Major General Catherine S. Lutz commander of the Mississippi Air National Guard died of the same type of cancer. I believe watching the progress of the cancer was harder than death itself. You have the knowledge that he is no longer in pain. You will miss him and feelings and memories will come unexpected but with God's help you will face the future.
Danny Mitchell
February 7, 2015
A great man with a great heart. R.I.P Senator Nunnley.
Gay Leath (formerly Davidson )
February 7, 2015
Pat, Sandra & Shannon, you are in our prayers as we've learned of your loss. You were so kind & gracious to us in our years of worship together at Calvary and love your family and so proud of the things Alan accomplished & now his testimony will be read about worldwide.
February 7, 2015
GOD BLESS.
catherine underwood
February 7, 2015
Not a better Statesman could have served The Mighty State of Mississippi! May you rest n peace, and be surprised by all the Democracts that will greet you in Heaven! Your children are in my thoughts, their father gone way too soon...
February 7, 2015
Find peace in knowing that Mr Nunnelee is resting in peace with no pain(Ecclesiastes 9:5) and know that God understands your grief and He cares(1 Peter 5:6,7)
Jane Dowling
February 7, 2015
God bless you and your loved ones ~ Rest in peace.
February 7, 2015
Our warm condolences to the Nunnelee family for your loss. May your hearts be filled with his wonderful memories. Please find hope and comfort in Gods word at psalms 46: 1 "God is our refuge and strength, a help that is really found in times of distress."
February 7, 2015
With my deepest condolences for your loss. May your household find peace and comfort in knowing sickness, pain and death will one day be gone for this has been promised.
February 7, 2015
My sympathy to the family,
"Do not worry over anything, but in everything let the things you have to ask for be made known to God by prayer and petition with thanksgiving"
Elizabeth
johnson
February 7, 2015
We are very sorry for the loss of Mr. Nunnelee, he was a hard working man and will be missed. May the God of all comfort provide peace and strength to the family during this difficult time.
February 7, 2015
Dear Family; So sorry for your loss. Isaiah25:8 John5:28
February 7, 2015
A fine man who will be missed
Gary Mason
LS
February 6, 2015
May the true God who hears prayer heal your pain
And console your heart. Psalm54:2-4
My deepest sympathies.
February 6, 2015
My deepest sympathy to his family.
February 6, 2015
Like a man whom his own mother keeps comforting,so I myself shall keep comforting you people..isa.66:13...please accept my condolence.........
February 6, 2015
Mr. Nunnelee was a true statesman, and his contributions to Mississippi will long be remembered. He stood for right and was not ashamed to stand on his faith. May God comfort each family member in days ahead.
Terry Harpole
February 6, 2015
I was sorry to hear about the death of Mr. Alan.
I met him and Miss Tori, when they paid a visit to a business in Maben, and he was a very inspiring man
Showing 1 - 34 of 34 results
Make a Donation
in Alan Nunnelee's name
How to support Alan's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Alan Nunnelee's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read moreMore ways to support the family
Visit the Sympathy Shop
Sponsored