Wayne Gunnels

He was born July 23, 1940 in Clarksville, TN to John James Gunnels and Bessie Lee Rollins Gunnels. He graduated from Clarksville High School in 1958 and Austin Peay State University in 1965. Bob received an honorable discharge from the United States Air Force in 1962. Mr. Gunnels resided in Brunswick for 25 years before moving to Claxton in 1991.

Mr. Gunnels served as CFO and Member of the Board of Directors of Claxton Poultry. He retired as CFO in 2011, but remained on the Board of Directors . Mr. Gunnels was a member of the Statesboro First United Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by his sister, Virginia Allen, and brother-in-law Alvin Allen of Clarksville, TN.

Bob was very active in football, baseball, basketball, and coaching softball and little league youth. He was an avid golfer; having begun playing at age 26, participating in many charitable organizations and Pro-Am’s, still always felt that the game remained a mystery.

He is survived by his wife, Karen Gunnels of Statesboro, GA, daughter Leigh Langford of Brunswick, GA; son, Christopher Gunnels (Betsy) of Marietta, GA; daughter Julie Johnson (Jeremiah) of Sharpsburg, GA; daughter Katie Nebel of Sylvania, GA; daughter Susan Nebel of Hahira, GA; daughter Sarah Comparato of Valdosta, GA; brother, James Gunnels (Ethel) of Jennings, LA; sister, Betty Abernathy of Clarksville, TN; grandchildren Caitlin, Madison, Bryant, Caroline, Lilly, Loralei, Jace, Sydney, and Kennedy; and three nephews, Andy Abernathy, Johnny Abernathy, and Terry Allen.

Honorary pallbearers include Bill (Karen) Sollars, Boyd (Alice) Johnson, Charlie (Alice) Christmas, Johnny (Patty) Mallard, Mikell (Wendy) Fries, and R.J. Sheffield.

Visitation will be held Thursday, May 25, 2017 from 6:00-8:00pm at Hodges Moore Funeral Home in Statesboro, GA.

The funeral service will be held Friday, May 26, 2017 at 10:00am at Statesboro First United Methodist Church with Reverend Jimmy Cason officiating. Interment will follow at Bulloch Memorial Gardens, Statesboro, GA.

The family requests that memorial contributions be made to SFUMC, P.O. Box 2048 Statesboro, GA 30459, or Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation at Kormen.org.

Please visit our online memorial at www.hodgesmoore.com to sign the guestbook and share fond memories with the Gunnels Family.

Hodges-Moore Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.