Nellie Ruth Carr Hunkapiller “Nel” Brock, 78 of Arab passed away Wednesday, August 30, 2023, at Shepherd’s Cove Hospice in Albertville. Nel was born August 4, 1945, in Arab the daughter of Robert Lee Carr, Sr. and Vernie Viola Needham Carr. Nel graduated from Arab High School Class of 1963, Athens University with high Honors and a Business Degree; she got her master’s degree in Logistics from Florida Institute of Technology Magna Cum Laude. Nel, and her sister Shirley, both worked as Quality Engineers for the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command AMCOM and its predecessors: U.S. Army Missile Command MICOM under U.S. Army Materiel Command AMC at Redstone Arsenal. Army Intelligence. She inspected, wrote, and edited manuals and worked on many interesting projects, in their heyday, including the U.S. Patriot Missile System and Black Hawk Helicopters – later she worked for Sikorsky directly in Houston, Texas. Another interesting job Nel had was when she worked at the VA Hospital in Tuskegee, Alabama in the 1960’s, while her husband, Beaul, attended Auburn University – she did shorthand for the Physicians from Cuba, in their Medical Lab, during the time of the “Tuskegee Experiment” and various other projects.
She was a member of the Arab Wesleyan Church. She was also a long-term member of Twickenham UMC Women’s group, in which she served has president for several different years. Faithful Member of Christian Faith and Choir Member all her life. She loved to go to the Singing Schools with her dad and family as a young girl and she played the Clarinet in the Marching Band. She was a Volunteer at the Gift Shop at the local Hospital and a long-time Volunteer at the Huntsville Public Library, among participating in several other good works and charities in the community.
Nel is survived by her daughter, Carla Highfield, husband Jeff, their children: Mary, husband Jonathan, Michael, Charlie, Jessica, and Lindsey and two beautiful great-grandchildren: Jack and Tilly. She is also survived by her son, Dean’s widow, Remy, and their daughter Katrina Hunkapiller. She is survived by one of the original six siblings, brother: James Carr; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family to cherish her memory as well.
She had many friends over the years, and she was a very kind and trusting soul. Nel is predeceased by her Husband, Danny Brock, of over 27 years of marriage and she also has two stepsons by Danny: Rob & Ricky Brock, who along with their wives and children currently all live out of state. She is also predeceased by her parents Robert & Vernie Carr and her son, Dean Hunkapiller, who died in the Philippines. Highly intelligent, Dean went to the Naval Academy, followed by his service to the U.S. Army, before becoming a Professor and a World-traveler; brothers: Bob (wife Fannie); Wendell (wives Audrey & Ellen); Gene Carr and a sister: Shirley Temple Carr Ralph (husband Don).
Nel greatly appreciated her dear friends at the Arab First United Methodist Church and the Arab Wesleyan Church for their kindness and love over the years. Especially her special friend and caregiver, David Cobb and his family.
Funeral Service will be 2:00 p.m. Sunday, September 3, 2023, at Gober Funeral Chapel with Nicky James officiating. The burial will be in New Friendship Cemetery, Gober Funeral Chapel directing. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. Sunday at Gober Funeral Chapel.
Pallbearers: Adam Carr; Brian Carr; David Carr; Jason Carr; Charles Highfield; Michael Highfield and Jonathan LeCroy
