After a full life lived with tremendous love, compassion, and devotion to his Christian faith and family, Mr. Grady Leland Pannell, known as Pete to all those who loved him, met the promises of his Lord and won the victory on Tuesday December 31, 2024, at the Tippah County Hospital surrounded by his family as he entered into his Heavenly Home.
Services honoring the well lived life of Mr. Pete will be at 11 AM on Friday January 3, 2025, in the Heritage Chapel of the Ripley Funeral Home with Bro. Lane Finley and Bro. Doc Shelton officiating. Visitation will be from 5 PM until 8 PM on Thursday January 2, 2025, in the Heritage Chapel of the Ripley Funeral Home and will continue from 9 AM until time of service on Friday. Graveside service will follow in Lebanon Baptist Church Cemetery in Tippah County.
Mr. Pete was born in Ripley, Mississippi, on February 14, 1942, to the late Richard Ray and Leola Garrett Pannell. He was a graduate of Pine Grove High School and proudly served his country in the United States Army, where he was stationed at Sandia Base Albuquerque, New Mexico during the Vietnam War, while preforming his duties as a military police officer. Once discharged from the Army, Mr. Pete was employed with Tippah Electric Power Association, dedicating forty-five years of services to Tippah County. He represented the work field well throughout his career, as he faithfully helped many residences throughout the county, while making a wide circle of friends during his profession. On April 28, 1988, he married his beloved wife, Mrs. Nanette Shoffner Pannell, who survives. Together they shared thirty-six wonderful years, loving each other while raising a beautiful family.
A family man and friend to all, Mr. Pete’s favorite pastimes included tending to his yard, and cutting, hauling, and burning brush, as his hobbies were working. He was never one to meet a stranger, as he found much joy socializing with everyone anywhere, he may be, always wearing a big smile and offering a strong handshake. His home was filled with love, and he loved it most when all his family could come together, spending time with one another, especially on Thanksgiving. He lived his life devoted to his family, as he was a wonderful husband, great dad, and loving Papaw to all his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
A dedicated member of Lebanon Baptist Church, Mr. Pete continually worked towards fulfilling his God given purposes and worshiped the Lord full heartedly. He was someone who was planted deeply in his faith and had a great biblical knowledge. Mr. Pete’s love for Jesus Christ was first and foremost in his life, as he strived to show his bright Christian light to all around him, inspiring others to live a life faithful to him. Beyond his spiritual pursuits, he was an avid music lover who found much joy in singing, reading his bible daily, always turning to the word for everything, and being a strong prayer warrior, that never lost sight in all of God’s promises.
No stone was left unturned in how Mr. Pete lived his life, loved his family and friends, and served his church, community, and Lord and without a shadow of a doubt, we know he heard those sweet words, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” Today we give all the glory to God and look forward to the great reunion in Heaven, where we will get to see Mr. Pete again and sit at the feet of our Savior.
In addition to his wife of thirty-six years, Nanette Pannell, memories will continue to be cherished by his children, Ken Pannell (Sarah), Marty Pannell (Stacy), Pamela Hall, Rodney Gates (Michelle), and Dawn Vance (Will), grandchildren, Ashley Boland, Jamie Hall (Britney), Zayne Vance, Easton Vance, Colton Morrison (Makenzie), and Thomas Jamison (Morgan), great grandchildren, Caden, Ella Jade, Blaine, Donovan, Rollins, and Millie, sisters, Judy Young (Danny), sister in laws, Brenda Pannell, and Wanda Pannell, and a host of family and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, and two brothers, Bobby Pannell and Gene Pannell.
Those serving as pallbearers will be Jamie Hall, Zayne Vance, Easton Vance, Landon Witt, Casey White, and Jason Rodgers.
Honorary pallbearers will be Ashley Boland, Caden Boland, Ella Boland, Blaine Boland, Donovan Boland, Eddie Witt, and the past and present employees of Tippah Electric Power Associations.
Donations can be directed to the Gideons, as nothing would be more fitting than to honor Mr. Petes memory by providing God’s word to others.
Ripley Funeral Home invites you to share memories with Mr. Pete’s family.
