A celebration of life honoring Nellie Mae Carmichael, 94, of Talladega will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 7, 2023, at Terry's Mortuary Chapel. Pastor Joseph S. Rowser, Jr. will deliver the eulogy. Interment will be held in Pine Grove Church Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 1-7 p.m. on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, at the funeral home.

This is a remarkable story of a mother’s quest to be an example for her family. Nellie was born on Tuesday, April 2, 1929, in Jacksonville, Alabama to Richard “Rich” and Lucy Hunley. She grew up on a farm in the Renfroe community of Talladega County. Lucy took work outside of the home leaving Nellie to care for her younger brothers and sisters while she was away. Rich called Nellie “Mammy” because she was in charge while her mother worked.

Nellie joined Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Talladega at the age of nine. She loved singing so much at home that she and her sisters started a singing group in addition to joining the choir.

She graduated from Talladega County Training School in 1948. Shortly thereafter, Nellie moved to Washington, D. C. and graduated from Hawaii Beauty School as a certified cosmetologist.

On July 7, 1948, Nellie married John Willie Pointer. They returned to Alabama where she gave birth to their first child Joyce in 1950. Six months later, they moved back to Washington, D.C. They had their second child, Elizabeth (Francine) in 1952 and their third child, Janice in 1954.

The family became members of Greater New Hope Baptist Church and later New Southern Rock Baptist Church. While attending New Southern Rock Baptist Church, Nellie was vice president of the Courtesy Chorus for 22 years, served on the Nurses Unit for 9 years, was vice president of the New Members Club, a member of the Hospitality Club and the Pastor’s Aid Club. She was also a member of the Kenney Adelphi Eastern Star Society.

In the summer of 1964, Nellie and John started the taxicab business Buffalo Cabs. It was such a success that in October of 1967, Nellie and John opened Nellie’s Beauty Salon located in downtown Washington, D. C. Grief fell upon her when John died 2 months later in December of 1967. Nellie continued to run her business for over 20 years while raising three teenaged daughters. Life became very difficult for her to run a household and work multiple part-time jobs just to get by. In her struggle to survive, she sold Sarah Coventry Jewelry, hair products, Watkins products, candy, clothing and hats. Nellie was also a co-owner of a limousine service. She worked many hours per week. That did not stop her from being there as a loving mother and supporting her girls.

Did you know that Nellie was a movie star? In 1984, she starred in the movie Now They Call This Soul directed by Danny Brown and filmed at New Southern Rock Baptist Church. This movie was aired in Europe.

In 1989, Nellie moved back to Alabama and married John Edd Carmichael. John’s children were Wiley, Janet, Samuel, Ross and Erwin. Nellie and John Edd were married for 24 years until his passing in July of 2013. During their marriage, they attended Pine Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Lincoln. They loved to fish and vacation in Maryland and Virginia. For many years, Nellie continued to drive, working in her yard and shared plenty of love with her children.

Nellie’s love was continuously shown to her three daughters, Joyce A. Parker, Elizabeth Francine (Shelly) Mitchell and Janice (Larry Sr.) Hunter; grandchildren, Cherie (John) Agurs, Larry Hunter, Jr., Erin (Kevin) Deeds, Carlos (Ranni) Parker, Jennifer (Travis) Tuck, Amanda Ford and Ashley (Keisha) Parker; great grandchildren, Jada, Jayden, Kendal, Hunter, Tanaysia, Kevin, Carmen, Sam and Sophea; a sister, Ada Pollard; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

On the evening of August 28, 2023, Nellie was called to rest from her labors. She was preceded on this road to sweet eternity by her late husbands, John Willie Pointer and John Edd Carmichael; her parents, Richard and Lucy Hunley; and a host of siblings.