Alfred S. 'Big Al' 'Captain Al' Tunnell Sr., 83

MILLSBORO - Alfred S. "Big Al" "Captain Al" Tunnell Sr. of Millsboro departed this life Monday, Jan. 22, 2007, in his home. He was 83.

He was born Dec. 9, 1923, to the late George and Alberta Tunnell in Belltown.

This is where he grew to adulthood. He met his future life's companion, the late Deanner Lee Vann, in Belltown. On Aug. 4, 1946, they wed. This union lasted for more than 55 years, until her death Feb. 26, 2002.

He and his wife spent many years as members of Mount Sinai Holy Churches of America under the leadership of both the late Elder Jacob Brittingham and the late Elder John Nichols. He recently rededicated his life to Christ after being ministered to by several family members.

Alfred had a love for the water. He would spend countless hours on his boat fishing. He was a man of many talents, including building his own boat, weaving his fishing nets, farming his land, becoming a small business owner and the list goes on. One of his proudest accomplishments was earning his commercial fishing license on his first attempt.

His outgoing personality led him to befriend and converse with any and everyone. Alfred knew no strangers. He could spend hours talking to people. He showed us that a person's skin color should never be an issue in developing friendship. This philosophy carried him to his final journey.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by two grandsons, Larry R. Glass Jr. and Lee Robert Glass; and a great-granddaughter, Monica Tunnell.

He leaves to cherish his memory and legacy his six children, Clarice Boyer of Millsboro, Linda Glass of Atlanta, George Tunnell of Lewes, Alfred Tunnell Jr. of Dover, Hezekiah Holmes of Wilmington and Wynell Prescott of Elkins Park, Pa.; two daughters-in-law, Karen Tunnell of Lewes and Dorothy Tunnell of Dover; two sons-in-law; Larry Glass of Atlanta and Dwayne Boyer of Millsboro; 22 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild; and a host of special nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Viewing will be held today from 6 to 8 p.m. in Bennie Smith Funeral Home, 219 S. Washington St., Millsboro.

Funeral services will be held Saturday at noon in the New Holy Trinity Church of God In Christ, First Street, Millsboro, where friends may also call two hours prior to the service.

Interment will be in People's Memorial Cemetery, Lewes.