A celebration of life for John and Willie Mae Gunter, Friday, October 19, 2007, 11:00 a.m., Gilbert-Lambuth Memorial Chapel, Paine College, Augusta, Georgia, officiating, Reverend Dr. Oscar E. Wells, pastor, Gaililee Missionary, Baptist Church, 931 Cedar Street, Augusta, Georgia

A Celebration of Life

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Friday, October 19, HiOOA.K*
On the Campus of Paine Colleoc Augusta, Georgia

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. , , Officiating. . . Reverend Dr.
Oscar E. Wells, Pastor
931 Cedar Street Augusta, Georgia
Cedar Grove Cemetery 120 Watkins Street

John & Willie Mae Gunter

In his infinite wisdom, the Lord called home to rest two devoted and loving servants, John and Willie Mae

Gunter. Willie Mae departed on Wednesday, October 10 and John joined her on Friday, October 12. Insepa

rable in every facet of their lives as school mates, friends, soul mates and as a family, the Lord decided that they

should remain together even in death.

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John was born June 7,1926, in McCormick, SC to Ben and Mattie Gunter. Willie Mae was born May 6, 1930,

in Augusta to James and Mary Ann Scott. They received their formal education in Augusta at the Silas X.

Floyd Elementary School, and Willie Mae would go on to graduate from the A. R. Johnson High School in

1948. John joined the U. S. Army and was assigned duty in the United States and in Japan. Upon his

discharge and return to Augusta to his sweetheart, Willie Mae. John and Willie Mae were united in marriage

on August 13, 1950.

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During their early years, they heard the Lords call and united with the Galilee Missionary Baptist Church were they were baptized by the late Reverend George Cleveland Williams. Under Rev. Williams guidance both John and Willie Mae dedicated their lives to serving the Lord and "putting on the whole armor of God." For more than seventy years they participated in every aspect of church life at Galilee and took up the challenges presented to them. Their faithfulness was evident in their love, devotion and special gifts that enabled them to inspire, motivate, and demonstrate Gods exceptional grace. John and Willie Mae worked tirelessly in the church lives with the Sunday School, Missionary Circle, Hospitality Ministry, Sanctuary Choir, Senior Choir, Youth Department Leaders, and the Golden Agers Ministry. In addition, Willie served as the Mother of the Church for almost two decades, and was President of the Deaconess Board. John was ordained as a Deacon in 1960 and served as chairman from 1997 until his passing. He was Superintendent of the Sunday School for thirty-seven years and served variously as church sextant, and van driver, member and President of the Male Chorus.

Their dedication to service for the Lord extended beyond the walls of their beloved Galilee. John and Willie Mae were involved with other efforts including the Georgia New Era Baptist Convention, Augusta Down town Missions Ministry, Church Women United, Masonic Lodge, East Augusta Neighborhood Association, and volunteered at W. S. Hornsby Elementary as grandparents and the Fashionettes Social Club.

Upon retirement-Willie Mae from the Gracewood State School and Hospital and John from the Commissary

at Ft. Gordon- they took more time to enjoy some of lifes treasures. Willie Mae found happiness in gardening,

baking cakes, traveling, surfing the internet and visiting with relatives. John found delight in mentoring young

people, fishing, gardening, discovering his family roots, channel surfing and challenging himself on his Play

Station. '.'

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They leave to cherish their memories and works, a daughter, Betty Scott (Rev. Jimmy) Williams (Cincinnati, OH); a son, Dr. Randy (Anne) Gunter (Savannah); loving sisters, Janie Lee Moody (Augusta), Savannah Mitchell (Umatilla, FL); a brother, Lloyd (Margaret) Gunter (Augusta); a grandson, William Bill Scott; a granddaughter, Adria Gunter (Hyattsville, MD); a great-granddaughter, Sade Scott (Cincinnati, OH); greatgrandsons, William Jr., Jeremiah, and Josiah Scott (Cincinnati, OH); Godchildren, Wayne Brooks (Augusta), Ronald Grant (Atlanta), and Dedra Grant (Richmond, VA), Dr. Felicia V. Swinney (Korea); devoted cous ins, Rosa P. Lewis and Deborrah Wilcox (Augusta); devoted friends, Gwen Collier (Statesboro), and Wylene Swinney (Atlanta), and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and friends.

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Order of Service

Officiating ~ (ReverendMichae((D. (Bitfingsfey (Presiding ~ (Reverend(Dr. Oscar 'E. Wells

Selection Scriptures
(Prayer 'Words of Comfort Selection

"Lay (Down My Life Tor tfhe Lord" Qalitee Sanctuary Cnoir

New Testament ~ (Reverend]aco6 C (Phinizy OfafTestament ~ (Reverend'(Ehjah l/Vittiams

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(Reverend^J-Cerman (Bing

(Reverend Trance Owens, Sr.

. <<(Yes odIs ReaC'

gaCike Sanctuary Choir

(Reflections

JLs NeigfiSors ..... (Reverend Mc(DonaCd ^iCCi andMrs. 'Thehna
fls Mentors ......... Mr. JLntfiony V^ittiamson _fts Church Mem6ers ....... (Deacon James (Broods
and (Deaconess Jinnie (Broods J?Ls 'Friends ............ (Reverend Jaco 6 Trowett

J^c^nowCedgements

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Mrs. Jennie *W. Qray

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Mrs. (Betty Scott l^ittiams and (Dr. (Randy gunter

O6ituary

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Mrs. Veronica Lynch Stores

Mrs. flundrea QoCden Ckrtd Accompanist

(Eulogy (Recessional

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(Reverend (Dr. Oscar <E. Welts "Just One More 'Time"

Interment

^. Cedar grove Cemetery

(Repast issionary (Baptist Church (Fellowship 'Hall

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