Gayle Pannell Lopez entered the gates of heaven surrounded by her family on September 14, 2025 after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born on January 24, 1952 to Patsy and Howard Pannell. She attended Hewitt Trussville Schools, graduating in 1970. She then went to Montevallo, then Caraway Nursing School, and eventually received her BS in Healthcare management at Birmingham Southern. She had a long career in nursing stretching over fifty years in several hospitals in the Birmingham area. She was an avid Alabama fan attending many games throughout the United States. Her other great love was Disney. She was able to visit every single Disney Park in the world with her husband Dr. Bill Lopez. They also were blessed with several Adventure By Disney trips where they visited dozens of countries throughout her life.

She was preceded in death by her parents Thomas Howard and Patsy Pannell, as well as her sister Abbie Speer. She is survived by her husband, Dr. William C. Lopez; daughter Danielle (Joey) Butler, son Bryan Kirkland, two bonus daughters Kathryne (Brandon) Jenkins and Kristen (Justin) Marcus; and seven beloved grandchildren Thomas, Kirkland and Nealey Butler; Jake Kirkland, Elijah and Penelope Marcus, and Victoria Jenkins. She is also survived by her sisters, Rhonda (Gary) Piper and Julie Sadler, and two brothers Tom Pannell and Kenny (Linda) Pannell, and many nieces and nephews.

Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, September 20th at Cahaba Springs Presbyterian Church on Deerfoot Parkway. Visitation will be from 10 am-12 noon with the service starting at 12 noon.

Everyone that knew her knew that nothing came before the Alabama Crimson Tide, so we will be dressed in Crimson and White to honor her.

**In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make donations to the American Cancer Society.

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