Virginia Bernice Gunnell

Virginia Gunnell, 92, passed away peacefully on April 30, 2026. Virginia had love, kindness, and grit written into her DNA. She lived with crippling arthritis (Uncle Arthur as she called it) for 50+ years. Virginia was born on March 13, 1934 in Oneonta, Alabama to Jess and Frances Sanders. She is preceded in death by her husband Walter L. Gunnell, her daughter Dana Joye Gunnell, her three sisters Earlene Hyatt, Wyzette Simmons, Frances Duggan, and her grandson Cole Ferguson.

She is survived by her son James “Jim” Gunnell and his husband Dale Wallace of Sherwood, AR, Anne Howell Gunnell Nelson and her husband Ken Nelson of Almyra, her son Jon Gunnell and Kelly Leigh Philipp of Bethel, Connecticut, her daughter-in-law Melinda Burks Gunnell of North Little Rock, grandchildren Sam Reilly (Alexandria), Jess Gunnell (Meredith Wallus), Savannah Law (Clayton Law), and Nick Krebs, great grandchildren Lillian Opal Reilly, Layla Jade Reilly, and Gus Law.

Virginia and her sisters grew up on Sawyer mountain in the Appalachian foothills of Alabama. Her parents were sharecroppers and she and her sisters worked the land alongside their parents. It was difficult, exhausting work, but her memories of those times were filled with stories of love and laughter.

Virginia had a great sense of humor. During the COVID pandemic Virginia stayed with her son Jim and his husband Dale. She said and did the funniest things. So she and Jim decided to start a business called Shit My Momma Says, selling t-shirts, cocktail hankies, and tea towels with her hilarious quotes on them. She thoroughly enjoyed her 15 minutes of fame.

Virginia loved playing rummy, Scrabble, and Quiddler. She was a rockstar and won most of the games she played.

Virginia was a beautiful woman who lived a full life. She will be missed and remembered every day.

Donations in her memory can be made to the Little Rock Animal Village (Make a Donation | Friends of the Animal Village - Little Rock, AR) or a charity of your choosing.