Joyce Elaine Gunter-Sesser, IL

Joyce Elaine Gunter of Sesser, IL passed away December 25, 2015.  Joyce was born July 27, 1950 in Christopher, Illinois the daughter of Andrew Earl and Clara Aline (Crocker) Brown.  Joyce was united in marriage to Hershel Lee Gunter the son of Albert Murphy and Leona (VanHoye) Gunter on June 19, 1971 at the Methodist Chruch in Sesser.

She graduated from Sesser-Valier Class of 1968.  She worked as General Assistance Job Project Coordinator for Goode Township Supervisor from April 1, 1986 to June 30, 2010 and worked part-time for the City of Sesser as Maple Hill Cemetery Secretary from January 4, 1999 to April 30, 2014 when she retired.  She also worked at Decca Records in Pinckneyville before her marriage and shortly after her marriage, and she also worked at Sesser Garment Factory during mine layoffs.

She was community minded and actively involved for many years in Sesser junior Woman’s Club, Sesser Junior Baseball-Softball Youth Organization, Sesser Opera House Restoration, Sesser Area Chamber of Commerce, Sesser American Legion Auxiliary, Southern Illinois Arthritis Foundation, Goode-Barren Historical-Genealogical Society, her mother and she cataloged the Maple Hill Cemetery and put in book form in 1996 which was sold by the historical society.

Joyce leaves a long legacy of a large family that she hope they will be forever grateful for having her in their lives, survivors include her three sons and their families, Brian Lee Gunter and his wife Angela Lynn (Murphy) of Sesser, Brent Andrew Murphy Gunter and his wife Melissa Ann (Donoho) of Sesser, Brice Taylor Gunter and his wife Karla Marie (Nipper) of Ewing, Illinois.  She has nine grandchildren:  Lukas Brian Gunter, Elijah “Eli” Eugene Gunter, Garrett Lee Gunter, Gabe Edward Gunter, and Annabelle “Belle” Lynn Gunter children of Brian and Angie, Brayden Andrew Murphy Gunter and Cody Raymond J. Gunter children of Brent and Melissa, Bryla Marie Gunter and Stella Elaine Gunter children of Brice and Karla.

Her extended family including her sisters and brother and their families:  Ruth Ann Brown Hicks of Sesser, Glenna Jean Brown and her husband Ronald Ray Roberson of Sesser, David Earl and his wife Sharon Kay (Kern) Brown of Creston, IL.

Nieces and nephews:  William “Billy” Gale Hicks Sesser, Vicki Lynn (Hicks) and her husband Bruce Alan Lewis of Valier, Alan Dale and his wife Kelley Leann (Loucks) Hicks of Sesser, Patrisha “Tish” Ann (Hicks) and her husband Robert “Bob” Edward Pinegar of Dixon, IL, Roger Earl and Wife Sandra Dianne (Pitchford) Hicks of Sesser,Richard Ray Roberson of Effingham, IL, Randall Rex Roberson Sesser, Edward Dean Rithie of Owasso, Oklahoma, Crystal Gail (Brown) and her husband David Scott Dunseth of Stillman Valley, IL, Dustin Earl and wife Noelle Shelby (Shultz) Brown of Creston, IL.

Special great nephews and nieces:  Ryan Gale Hicks Valier, Christin Michelle Hicks of Sesser, Jordan Lee Hicks of Sesser, William Andrew “Andy” and wife Anna Kathaleen “Katie” (House) Lewis of Benton, Wade Alan Lewis of Benton, Alyn Beth (Hicks) and husband Timothy James Newbury of Sesser, Tiffany Chanelle (Hicks) and husband William Eris Powell of Sesser, Sarah Elizabeth (Hicks) Alexander of Sesser, Mahaylah Claire (Hicks) and husband Timothy Lee Mabrey of Fort Leonardwood, MO, Robert Ethan Hicks, Dustin Lee Hicks, Alyana Brooke Hicks all of Sesser, Michael Edward and Jeanna Ann Louise Pinegar both of Dixon, IL, Timothy John Hicks of Sesser and fiancé Kelsey Whitecotton of Buckner, and Grace Abigail (Hicks) and husband Michael Phelps of Valier, Jonathon Michael Ritchie of Creston, IL, Owen Nathanial and Amelia Paige Dunseth both of Stillman Valley, IL, Collin Andrew Brown, Lauren Elizabeth Brown of Creston, IL.

Special Great Great Nephews and Nieces:  Halle Nicole Meiner and Waylon Lee Hicks both of Benton, Cadean Ryan Hicks of Sesser, Skyler Lynn Lewis of Benton, Layla Belle Newbury, and Alba James Newbury of Sesser, London Rhyan Powell of Sesser, Talan Andrew Alexander of Sesser, Brooklyn Grace Nevaeh and Ashlee Nicole Hicks both of Sesser, Torie Aline Pinegar of Dixon, IL, Jacob “Jake” Aaron Hicks, Joshua “josh” Thomas Hicks and Joseph ‘Joey” Robert Hicks, Gauge Ray Phillips, Karlie Mae Phillips and Della Grace Phillips all of Sesser, Noa Grace Phelps of Valier.

Gunter Brother-in-laws and Sister-in-laws:  Donald Ray and wife Sharlyn Kay (Offerman) Gunter of Valier, Allen Dakle and wife Diane (Rector,Tanner) Gunter of Orient, Brenda Lou Gunter of Christopher, Garry Wayne and wife Dori Sue (Cowsert) Gunter of Zeigler, Dennis James and wife Lori Dawn (Bearden) Gunter of Christopher, Linda Sue (Gunter) and husband Samuel ‘Sam” Wink of Mulkeytown.

Gunter Nieces and Nephews:  Heather Kay (Gunter) and husband Joshua Lee Raymond and daughter Piper Ann of Gobles, MI, Sherri Dawn Gunter and daughter Shayna Ranae Sloan of Christopher, Jason Ray and wife Shawna Diane (Wingo) Gunter and children Gavin Ray and Jaslyn Nicole of Sesser, Cory Don Gunter of Evansville, IN and children Jordan Scott and Joshua Ray Gunter of Valier, Jaxson Michael Gunter of Evansville, IN, Marty Allen and wife Vicki Leigh (Garmane) Gunter of Christopher and daughter Michelle Leigh (Gunter) and husband Craig Allen Helma and daughter Jazmine Nichole of Milnot, North Dakota, Wendy Sue (Gunter) Anderson and children Alex Lee and Mollie Sue Anderson of West Frankfort, Kyle Wayne and wife Cara Lynn (Frey) Gunter and son Ryan Gunter of Belleville, IL, Kara Charlene Gunter and daughter’s Valerie Marie Gunter and Ariel Michelle Gunter of Belleville, Samuel Blake and wife Misty Kay (Baker) Wink of Christopher, and daughter Makenne Faye Newell, Nekko Lee Wink and fience Mikala Chamness and son Jaden Murphy Kellerman of DuQuoin.

Joyce was preceded in death by husband: Hershel Lee Gunter died November 18, 2008, her father Andrew Earl Brown, paternal grandparents Asia Nat and Lettie Belle (Miller) Brown, Maternal grandparents Raymond J. and Mary Della (McBride) Crocker, father and mother –in-Law Albert Murphy and Leona (Van Hoye) Gunter, brother and sister in law Francis Albert and Judith “Judy” Ann (Pomroy) Gunter and their son Keith Allen Gunter.

Visitation will be on Tuesday December 29, 2015 from 5;00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser.  Funeral Service will be on Wednesday December 30, 2015 at 11;00 A.M. at the funeral home with burial to follow at the Maple Hill Cemetery.  Joyce’s Celebration of Life will be officiated by the Former Mayor of the City of Sesser Ned Mitchell and Brother Larry Cook of the Bear Point Free Will Baptist Church.

The Gunter Family requests that you would consider a donation to The Sesser Valier Early Intervention Program (Make cchecks payable to S-V Community Unit 196) in Lieu of flowers in memory of their mother Joyce, envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

For More information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com