Mazelle “Mel” Pannell

Iris Mazelle Pannell

1924-2013

 

Iris Mazelle (Mel) Nash Pannell left this earth on March 3, 2013. She was born in Myrtle, Mississippi on October 20, 1924 to Maude Lee (Williams) and Clyde Nash. They lived in Holly Springs, Mississippi for a time, moving to Hot Springs, Arkansas in the 1930s. Mel graduated from Hot Springs High School in 1942 and was accepted at Baylor University, but an injury sustained in a train derailment on her initial trip to Waco kept her from attending.

She married Bonnie Hullett Pannell in 1950 and their marriage lasted 50 years, until his death in 2000. Mel’s primary role was homemaker and her greatest joy was her family. She was her children’s greatest cheerleader and encourager, instilling in them a belief in their own abilities and a faith in God. Her grandchildren brought her special joy and sleepovers at Grandmother’s were a regular occurrence. In addition to the impact that Mel had on her family, she also drew people to her like a magnet.

The caption under her picture in her senior yearbook read, “Everybody likes her and she is worthy of their liking” and this sentiment described her during her entire life. Her sweet spirit caused her to gather friends about her everywhere she went. We will miss her so much, but are comforted by the knowledge that she is in Heaven with her Savior.

Her parents, a brother, Jack Nash, two sisters, Dorothy Daniel and Zelma Kuntz, her husband, Bonnie Pannell and two sons, Paul and Phil Pannell, preceded her in death. She is survived by her daughters and their husbands Bonnye and Charlie Willey and Jayne and Bill Roberts, her daughter-in-law Roxie Pannell, grandchildren Tyler Willey and his wife, Jennifer, Brent Willey and his wife, Lindsey, Lauren (Willey) Maggio and her husband Jimmy, LP Pannell and Stephanie Sorise, Jason Pannell and his wife Emily, Britnee Pannell, Julie (Roberts) Dorman and her husband Steve, and Will, Sam and John Roberts, great-grandchildren Langley Pannell and Anna Maggio and numerous nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the church of your choice.

Graveside services are 10:00 a.m. Saturday March 9, 2013 at Memorial Park Cemetery, Oklahoma City.