James C. Gunter

JAMES CLINTON GUNTER Tupelo - James Clinton Gunter, 88, died Wednesday, February 5, 2014, at the Sanctuary Hospice House. He was born September 5, 1925, to Glen and Janie Kelly Gunter. He was a 1944 graduate of Mooreville High School, he then served in the United States Marine Corps during WWII. After returning home from the war, he attended Itawamba Community College. In 1946, he met and married the love of his life, Lucille West. Together they raised their four children and celebrated sixty-seven years of marriage in December. A good solid, fair and honest man, his main focus in life was his family, whom he loved dearly. For over forty years, he owned Gunter's Food Store on West Jackson Street. He loved to read and never lost his zeal for learning. He faithfully attended West Jackson Street Baptist Church. A Celebration of his life will be 11 a.m., Friday, February 7, 2014, at The Jefferson Street Chapel of W. E. Pegues with Rev. Bert Harper officiating. A graveside service will follow at Lee Memorial Park with Rev. Don McCain officiating. Survivors include his devoted wife of sixty-seven years, Lucille Gunter of Tupelo; four children, Kriss Springer (Guy) of Pontotoc, James C. Gunter, Jr. (Beverly) of Pontotoc, Philip Gunter (Brenda) of Tupelo and Angie Thornton (Jeff) of Pontotoc; one sister, Emma Lee Harrison of Tupelo; eight grandchildren, Rachel Wood (J. D.) of Tupelo, Courtney Maxey (Jeremy) of Pontotoc, Shannon Gunter (Dionne) of Pontotoc, Wesley Gunter of Pontotoc, Ashley Martin (Rusty) of Saltillo, Andrea Estrada (Ricardo) of Tupelo, April Kelly Farris (Eric) of the Furrs Community and Kyle Thornton (Jordyn) of Oxford; twelve great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Virginia Sheffield, her husband, A. R. "Russell" Sheffield and their son, Rodney Sheffield; brother-in-law, Charles Harrison; and nephew-in-law, Barry Pipkin. Pallbearers will be Shannon Gunter, Wesley Gunter, Kyle Thornton, Jeff Thornton, Mark Sheffield and Jerry Iverson. Eddie West and Herman West will serve as honorary pallbearers. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, February 6, 2014 at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Sanctuary Hospice House, P.O. Box 2177, Tupelo MS 38803 or West Jackson Street Baptist Church, 1349 West Jackson Street, Tupelo, Ms 38801 Expressions of sympathy may be left at www.peguesfuneralhome.com