In loving memory....Grandpa, We'll miss you!

My grandfather passed away unexpectedly this morning. He was such a strong, wise and inspring person. He was very loved and will be greatly missed. Anyone who ever met him was surely blessed.

Howard Lloyd Gunter
80 year old Howard Lloyd Gunter of Smithville died suddenly Saturday at DeKalb Community Hospital. He was a World War II Navy veteran, a Mason, and a retired employee of Genesco. The funeral will be Monday at 1:00 p.m. at the Bethel United Methodist Church where he was a member. Royce Martin and Wilson Williams will officiate and burial will be in the Bethel Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Monday from 9:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at which time the body will be taken to the church for the service at 1:00 p.m. He was preceded in death by his parents, Houston and Dovie Lee Blair Gunter and sisters, Mozell Cory, Odie Basham, Polly Simons, and Jimmie Shuler. Survivors include his wife of 60 years Norma Phillips Gunter of Smithville. Three children, Dan and his wife Kristen Gunter of Lakeland, Florida; Phillip and his wife Karen Gunter of Valdosta, Georgial and Sharon and her husband Harold Rader of Murfreesboro. Grandchildren, Leah Love and her husband Eric Orsbon, Monica and her husband Chris Dickens, Alex Rader, Matt Gunter, and Danielle Chamber. Great grandchild, Bryce Dickens. Sisters, Betty and her husband J.T. Hale of McMinnville, Dorcas and her husband Larry Medley of McMinnville, Ruth Payne of Jacksonville, Florida; and Naomi Sheppard of Jacksonville, Florida. Sisters-in-law, Mary Cantrell of Smithville, Fatama Walker of McMinnville, and Jane Eller of Smithville. A brother-in-law, Bill Phillips of Smithville. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. The family asks that donations be made to the Bethel Cemetery Fund in memory of Mr. Gunter, in lieu of flowers.