Wanda Elneeta Thornell, 74, of Guntersville, Alabama, passed away on May 3, 2026. Elneeta was born November 14, 1951, in Albertville, AL to Ray and Pauline Patterson.
She is survived by her daughter, Trina (Jonathan) Irby; her son, David (Jody) Mattson; her grandchildren Rayna Irby, Xander Irby, and Avery Mattson; and eleven siblings: Archie Wayne (Dianne) Patterson, Ervin (Becky) Patterson, Rita Patterson, Greg (Deb) Patterson, Donnie Patterson, Kathy Patterson, Sandra Martin, Kenneth (Jan) Patterson, Sherry Barkley, Roger (Brandy) Patterson, and Keith Patterson.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ray and Pauline Patterson; Trina and David’s father, Bill Mattson; her husband, Fred Thornell; her sister, Sheila Patterson; and her infant son, Steven Kendrick.
Elneeta was raised in rural Marshall County, where she was one of thirteen children. She later made her home in Birmingham, where she raised her family and dedicated 35 years of faithful service to LabCorp before retiring. In her retirement years, she returned to Guntersville; coming home to the place that never left her heart.
Elneeta’s first marriage was to Bill Mattson (deceased) with whom Trina and David were born. Her final marriage, to Fred Thornell, was a love story that defined her later years. Fred preceded her in death in 2020, and there is comfort in knowing they are reunited.
Family was everything to Elneeta. She loved her children fiercely and her grandchildren with a tenderness that left a mark on each of them. To her “grands”, Rayna, Xander, and Avery; she was simply known as “NeNe,” and that name said everything.
Elneeta was a woman of deep faith, boundless love, and a joyful spirit that drew people to her throughout her life. She was a devout Christian who loved the Lord with her whole heart. Whether gathered around a table for a family game night, pressing her luck at the casino, doing crafts with her friends, or hosting a poker night with her beloved siblings, Elneeta brought warmth and laughter wherever she went.
Elneeta lived well, loved deeply, and is now at rest in the presence of our God and Savior. She is and will continue to be profoundly missed.
Celebration of Life for Mrs. Thornell will be held Monday, June 22, 2026 at:
Christ Redeemer Church
19272 Hwy 431 North
Guntersville, AL 35976
• Fellowship and Visitation: 1:00-1:30 PM
• Memorial Service: 1:30 PM
We would be honored to have you join us as we share memories, celebrate Elneeta’s life, and give thanks for the love she shared with family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Shepherd’s Cove Hospice
Donations can be made either through their website:
www.shepherdscove.org/support-us/ ; or
via mail:
Shepherd’s Cove Foundation
408 Martling Road
Albertville, AL 35951
“For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.”
— 2 Corinthians 5:1
