Mark Douglas Nunley

Mark Douglas Nunley, age 63, of Fernandina Beach, Florida died at his home in Fernandina Beach on Friday, March 3, 2017 following a long and courageous battle with leukemia.  Mark is survived by his wife of 15 years, Shirley: his mother, Violet: his children, Libby and Robert: his brother, Greg: his sisters, Rita, Nila, Marlene, Geneva and Terry: stepchildren,  Feya, Alan  and Ovid:  Eleven grandchildren and countless friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Alvin Elbert Nunley, Jr. and his brother, Tim Nunley. Prior to moving to Florida, Mark was born on September 7, 1953, to Alvin and Violet Nunley in Tennessee, where he spent much of his life.

A key note of Mark’s life was his selfless service to others. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps as an aviation ordnance systems technician after graduating high school. Returning to Tennessee in the wake of hardship discharge from the Marine Corps, Mark entered law enforcement as a sheriff’s deputy. Several years later, he began working of CSX transportation – an organization he retired from after more than three decades of loyal employment.

A change in Mark’s role with CSX prompted his relocation to Florida with his wife at the time, Willie Shelton, and the children. Baptized Primitive Baptist, he was called to the ministry and delivered sermons at numerous churched across Florida and Georgia, provided church services and counseling to the sick and infirmed at hospitals and nursing homes, and was a trustworthy confidant to the many “brothers and sisters in God” that sought his counsel. He pastored in Davenport, Florida, until his declining health rendered the commute impossible.

Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, March 8, at Macclenny Primitive Baptist Church at 11 A.M., with viewing and visitation beginning at 10 A.M., with Elder’s David Crawford, Gordon Smith and Jim Sandlin officiating. Mark’s body will be laid to rest after funeral  services at Orange Hill Church in Tracy City, Tennessee on March 9, following a 3 P.M. funeral service. Viewing and visitation at Orange Hill Church will begin at 9 A.M. Known for his beautiful singing voice, quick wit, musical talents, craftsmanship, generosity, devotion, and multitude of other positive skills  and attributes, Mark’s smile and words will forever be remembered in the innumerable hearts and minds of those privileged to have known him. Please consider memorials to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Baptist/MD Anderson Cancer Center at Jacksonville, Fla. or Mayo Hospital at Jacksonville, Florida.