Gracie Gaynell Caldwell Stinnett, 88, died peacefully Friday, surrounded by her family and friends. She was born at home in Madison County. Mrs. Stinnett graduated from West Huntsville High School and married her high school sweetheart, WD Stinnett in June, 1949.
Gay worked for the city of Huntsville for many years. She began her career with the Huntsville Police Department as a crossing guard at West Huntsville Elementary School on 9th Avenue. She moved on to become an instructor for the Defensive Driver Training Program. Later, she became an administrative assistant at the Huntsville Police Academy, and went through the Academy training herself. The last few years before her retirement, she worked as a Clerk of the Huntsville Municipal Court. She was a faithful member of University Baptist Church.
Gaynell was preceded in death by her parents, George Ellis Caldwell and Pearlie Brazelton Caldwell; brother, George Nolan “Pete” Caldwell; and husband, Wesley Daniel “WD” Stinnett.
Survivors include her son, Tommy Stinnett and wife, Lydia Hodgson Stinnett; grandsons, Travis Stinnett and wife, Erica Dublin Stinnett, and Daniel Stinnett and wife, Erin Sullivan Stinnett; great-grandchildren, Audrey, Annabelle and Fletcher Stinnett; and sister, Ruth Cook of Hazel Green.
Visitation will be from 12 to 2 p.m. Monday, October 29 at Laughlin Service Funeral Home. The funeral service will follow in the chapel with the Rev. Bobby Burt officiating. Burial will be in Huntsville Memory Gardens, Highway 72 West.
