Rev. John Lester Gunter Jr.

Reverend John L. Gunter, Jr. age 83 of North Tazewell, Virginia died Tuesday, August 5, 2014 at Carilion Tazewell Community Hospital in Tazewell, VA. He was born February 13, 1931 at Plantersville, MS and was the son of the late John L. Gunter, Sr., and Annie McNeese Gunter. Brother John had served as a Minister of God’s Word in the Southern Baptist Church for nearly fifty-years, having received his education from Blue Mountain College and Southern Seminary. He had served Churches in Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia, and retired from the Ministry after serving as Pastor of Bundy’s Chapel Baptist Church in Whitten’s Valley, VA. He was a member of Tazewell Baptist Church in Tazewell, VA. While serving in many areas, Mr. Gunter was active in the Lion’s Club, Rotary Club and the Kiwanis’. Brother John enjoyed working in his garden and working with wood, creating many beautiful pieces of furniture for his friends and family. He was a United States Navy Veteran of the Korean War Era. Brother John was proud to be an Honorary Deputy Sheriff with the Madison County Sheriff’s Department in Jackson, TN, where he worked with juveniles in the judicial system. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, Greg Allen Gunter; great-grandson, Garrett James Gunter; two sisters, Louise Wilcutt and Pauline “Pene” Dumore. Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife of sixty-four years, Betty “Ms. Bette” Gunter; two sons, Gary Gunter and wife, Debbie of North Tazewell, VA and Bryan Gunter and wife, Alice of Charlotte, TN; special niece who he raised as a daughter, Jo-Ann Coggin of Saltillo, MS; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; many other family members and many friends. The family will receive friends at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell, VA from 5 – 7 p.m. Friday, August 8, 2014, where a funeral service will be conducted at 7:00 p.m. with the Rev. Chris White and the Rev. J.C. Steele officiating. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 9, 2014 at Grandview Memory Gardens in Bluefield, VA. Pallbearers will be John G. Gunter, Jr., Stephen Gunter, Dalton Jones, Brian Allison, Dennis Lockhart and A.C. Click. Honorary Pallbearers will be Dr. Stephen Rinehart, David Havens and Jimmy Wilcutt. Hurst – Scott Funeral Home of Tazewell, VA is serving the family of Reverend John L. Gunter, Jr. and those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com.

Rev. John Lester Gunter Jr.

February 13, 1931 - August 5, 2014