Gerrldene Nichols DeSanctis, 87, died peacefully on October 27, 2026, in Huntsville, Alabama. Born on November 5, 1938, in Leighton, Alabama, Gerrldene Nichols DeSanctis lived a life rooted in family, friends, and the home she built in Huntsville. She was preceded in death by her husband, Carmine DeSanctis; her mother and father, Mildred and Ollie Nichols; and her sister, Carolyn Davenport.
Gerrldene had a good sense of humor and loved to laugh. She enjoyed making memories with her many friends. She never met a stranger with whom she could not strike up a conversation. She loved everything about Alabama football, from collecting memorabilia to attending football games.
Her professional life included work with the Army Ballistic Missile Agency. On July 1, 1960, she was transferred to a new agency, NASA. Her name was placed on the Space Exploration Wall of Honor at the U.S. Space Camp; Rocket Center, marking her connection to an important chapter in Huntsville’s history. It was at NASA that she met her husband, Carmine DeSanctis.
Together, Gerrldene and Carmine made Huntsville their home. There they raised their sons and later enjoyed the lives of their grandchildren. Family remained at the center of their lives.
She leaves behind her brother, Charles Nichols; her sister, Judy Byrd; her sons, Ralph (Dixie) and Edward (Tammy); grandsons, Price (Trish), Nicholas, Parker, and Matthew De Sanctis.
Gerrldene Nichols DeSanctis will be remembered for her laughter, for the life she built in Huntsville, and for the family and friends that were such important parts of her life. Her memory remains with those who knew her.
Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Monday, November 2, 2026, at Laughlin Service Funeral Home. The funeral service will follow at 12:00 p.m. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery, 203 Maple Hill Drive, Huntsville, AL 35801.
In lieu of flowers the family asks to please make any donations to Friends, Inc. (https://friendsinc.net) which offers multiple support services to seriously ill and disabled patients in Madison County, helping them to cope with their new circumstances and enabling them to maintain their independence.
