Jimmie Dean Carnell, a loving sister, aunt and friend to many, went to her heavenly home on November 10, 2021, from Cullman Regional Medical Center. A gifted musician, she spent over 65 years as pianist for Holly Pond Baptist and United Methodist Churches. Now she is playing for a heavenly choir.
Jimmie Dean was born September 11, 1941, to Julous Orbin and Bessie Gilley Carnell. She was a lifetime resident of Holly Pond and was a fifth-generation member of Holly Pond First Baptist. Miss Carnell moved her membership when she began playing piano at the Methodist Church. She was a graduating member of the Holly Pond Class of 1959, and she went on to Jacksonville State University, where she majored in music. Jimmie was a member of DAR, the Holly Pond Homemakers and Holly Pond Senior Citizens. She wrote “News from Holly Pond” for the Cullman Tribune for many years and was also the Society Editor for the Cullman Times for eight years. Miss Carnell began giving piano lessons in 1968 and unlocked the gift of music for many students. She shared her talent with many, and she enjoyed playing the piano for the East Cullman Baptist Association “Prime Time Singers.” She was an Avon representative, currently, and had been selling Avon since 1966. Jimmie Dean loved the Lord, her family, friends, her cat “Socks”, her books and the Atlanta Braves.
She is preceded in death by her parents: Julous and Bessie Carnell.
Jimmie Dean is survived by two loving sisters: Julia C. Floyd (Walter) and Nancy C. Horton (Lane); six nieces and nephews: Gina Webb (Doug), Candance Floyd (Paul Auffant), Tony Marks (Susan), Drew Floyd (De), Nathan Horton and Gennifer Baker and seven great-nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for Miss Jimmie Dean are 1:00 p.m., Saturday, November 13, 2021, at Holly Pond First Baptist Church, with Brother Dwight Kidd and Brother Benjamin Smothers officiating. Miss Carnell will lie in state from 12:00 p.m. until services begin. Burial will follow in Holly Pond Cemetery. Friends are invited to visit with the family on Friday evening, November 12, 2021, at Holly Pond Funeral Home, from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Holly Pond Funeral Home is honored to serve the Carnell family.
