Sandra Lee Deuschle Nunnelee, 85, a loving wife and mother, was welcomed into heaven on Sunday evening, October 20, 2024, only three days after her beloved husband, Pat Thomas Nunnelee. After a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s, she died peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family. She was born on April 28, 1939 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as the second daughter to Edwin Bryant Deuschle and Dorothy Cecelia “Dodie” Deuschle. The first several years of her life were spent in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where her great love of babies was evident. She delighted in babysitting her little brother and other neighborhood little ones. She made a profession of faith as a young girl and was baptized at Homewood Baptist Church.
As a young teenager, her family relocated to Tupelo when her dad accepted a job as an engineer with Rockwell International, a decision that would prove to shape the rest of her life in meaningful ways. After graduating from Tupelo High School, Sandra’s first job in the medical field was at Kirk, Feemster and Love. Only the Lord’s kindness could have brought two worlds together when Sandra accepted a blind date with Pat Nunnelee not long after graduation. Sandra, a tall, blonde beauty from Pittsburgh and Pat, the optimistic boy from Endville working behind the counter at Doug’s Dairy Bar quickly and deeply fell in love and the two married at Calvary Baptist Church in Tupelo on February 17, 1957. This was just the beginning of a beautiful love story that would span over sixty- seven years and eight months. Their love grew deeper and stronger as they clung to one another and leaned on the Lord as their shepherd and strength through life’s joys and sorrows providing a precious example of a Christ- centered marriage.
One of Sandra’s greatest desires was to be a wife and mother, a role that she fulfilled with excellence, grace, and deep gratitude. The Lord blessed her with seven children over a span of 31 years. Her happiest days were when her house was overflowing with her family. She was truly an example of a Proverbs 31 woman who found delight in serving her family. She lived out her faith daily and prayed without ceasing for her family. She clung to the verse “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” 3 John 1:4.
After longing to enter the medical field, Sandra decided to pursue a nursing degree at Mississippi University for Women, no easy task as a busy wife and mother of four children. Many nights she would stay up all night long studying because of her fierce determination to excel in school while serving her family well. Before completing her degree, Pat received a promotion that moved the family to the Jackson area. Undeterred by a move, Sandra worked tirelessly to complete her nursing degree at Hinds Community College. One of her most impressive accomplishments in nursing school was being chosen by her peers to represent her college at the Mississippi Student Nurse of the Year Competition, which she proudly won.
After graduation, she began her nursing career at Woman’s Hospital in Flowood before relocating back “home” to Tupelo in 1977, a move clearly ordained by the Lord. Returning to Tupelo gave her the privilege of living close to her parents and caring for them faithfully with joy in their final years. She continued her nursing career by working for many years at North Mississippi Medical Center in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
Although she worked for a brief period with Dr. Tom McDonald in neurosurgery, she returned to neonatology and was known by many as a well-respected NICU nurse.
Sandra’s faith was an integral part of her life. She spent her life clinging to the promises in God’s Word. She was an active member of Calvary Baptist Church for over fifty-five years. The Nunnelee family has been active in churches wherever they lived, including Fairview Baptist in Columbus and Northside Baptist in Clinton. She served in Women’s Missions Union, Sunday school, teaching Sunday school and Vacation Bible School, along with many other roles. Although she traveled to Honduras as a medical missionary, her greatest mission field was in her own home. She viewed her role as a wife, mother and grandmother as her most important ministry, one she approached with deep conviction, generosity, enthusiasm and unselfishness. Her nursing skills also uniquely equipped her to lovingly meet the medical needs of their three children that joined their family through adoption. Pat’s and Sandra’s commitment to adoption was recognized by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption when they received the Angels of Adoption Award in Washington D.C. in 2012.
In her final years, Sandra endured a brutal struggle with Alzheimer’s. Her husband and family, as well as her precious caregiver, Ann Crockett, and the amazing staff at Sanctuary Hospice, lovingly cared for her at home until the Lord called her home.
Sandra is survived by her six children, Lisa Nunnelee Talbott and her husband, Carl, of Tupelo, Dodie Nunnelee Givens and her husband, Scott, of Knoxville, Tennessee, Shannon Nunnelee Clinton and her husband, Jimmy, of Germantown, Tennessee, Ammi Nunnelee Gates and her husband, Brian, of Madison, Joshua Bryant Nunnelee and his wife, Danielle, of Ingram, Texas, and Matthew Tyler Nunnelee and his wife, Olivia, of Tupelo; and daughter-in-law, Tori Barber, of Brandon. Sandra is also survived by 15 grandchildren, Reed Nunnelee (Kemily), Clarke Wise (Julia), Emily Thompson (Morris), Nathan Nunnelee (Colleen), Patrick Givens (Rebecca), Piper Givens, Peyton Givens (Chloe Beth), Mary Nielson Clinton, Lindley Clinton, Carly Talbott, John Paul Givens, Cece Clinton, Sarah Grace Clinton, Thomas Gates, and Laine Nunnelee. Sandra is also survived by 11 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Judy Lyle of Abilene, Texas, and Diane Haywood of Suwanee, Georgia; and one brother, Ed Deuschle and his wife, Rita, of Madison.
Sandra was preceded in death by her beloved husband Pat Nunnelee; son, Alan Nunnelee; parents, Ed and Dodie Deuschle, in-laws, Dink and Jane Nunnelee; and son-in-law, Randy Wise.
A joint visitation for Sandra and Pat will be from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. Sunday, October 27, 2024 at Pegues Funeral Directors, Tupelo. For friends unable to attend visitation, the family will also accept friends following their service Monday at the church.
A joint celebration of Sandra’s and Pat’s lives will be held 11 a.m. Monday October 28, 2024, at Calvary Baptist Church with Dr. John Boler, Dr. Ed Deuschle, and Dr. Jim Nunnelee officiating. A private family graveside service was held at Lee Memorial Park. Pegues Funeral Directors is entrusted with the arrangements.
Memorials may be made in Sandra’s memory and honor to Calvary Baptist Church, 501 West Main Street, Tupelo MS 38801, or Sanctuary Hospice, PO Box 2177, Tupelo MS 38803.
