Martha Jean Gunter

Martha Jean Gunter, 88, of McNeil, Ark., died Friday, March 10, 2017 at the Magnolia Regional Medical Center in Magnolia. Martha was born March 6, 1929 in Magnolia, Ark. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in McNeil. She loved being a farmer's wife and living in the country. She was a country woman with a little sparkle. Martha loved to cook and could have a wonderful meal prepared within a moment's notice. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. One of her greatest joys of her life was being the chaperone of the McNeil Eagles Basketball Teams. She is known to this day to the ballplayers as "Mama Gunter." She was preceded in death by her parents June and Glader (Booth) Byrd; husband Ezra Franklin Gunter; and brother James "Sonny" Byrd. She is survived by her sons Gary Gunter and wife Patsy, Mike Gunter and wife Jacky, both of McNeil; daughter Kay Sharp and husband Sam of McNeil; grandchildren Jean Seiger and husband Bryan of Stamps, Jill Holland of Magnolia, Jennifer Plumley and husband John of Rogers, Ronnie Gunter and wife Christy of Spearsville, La., Donnie Gunter of Magnolia, Mikey Gunter of McNeil, Justin Sharp of Little Rock, Jordan Sharp and wife Brittany of Magnolia; 11 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; a host of nephews, nieces, and cousins; and special friends Fran Givens of McNeil and daily companion Bruno. Visitation with the family will be Saturday, March 11, from 1 to 2 p.m., at First Baptist Church in McNeil, with funeral services following at 2 p.m., with Bro. Danny Bullock officiating. Burial will be at the Shiloh Cemetery, under the direction of Lewis Funeral Home, Inc. in Magnolia. Pallbearers will be Steve Keith, Mark Keith, Billy Paul Dodson, James Wiley Duke, Stacy Bussey, and Wendell Hart. The family requests memorial donations be sent to the First Baptist Church, 451 Gum St, McNeil, Ark. 71752; Shiloh Cemetery, 1650 Columbia Rd 41, Waldo, Ark. 71770; or CCAPS, PO Box 2003, Magnolia, Ark. 71754. The family wishes to thank Dr. Fred Murphy, Dr. Hennessy, Dr. Mensah, and the Magnolia Regional Medical Center and staff for their compassion and caregiving during her last days. To sign the online guest book or to share a memory, visit www.lewisfuneralhome.biz.