Myrtle G. Gunter's Obituary
Myrtle Gunter, 81, died peacefully on November 24, 2015 at Haven Hospice in Gainesville, Florida, after a brief, heroic struggle with cancer.
Myrtle was born May 20, 1934 in Palatka, Florida, the daughter of Gus and Addie Gunter, and one of 6 children.
She grew up and went to school in Palatka, Florida. After going to school, she met and fell in love with Sherman Thomas, the father of her children. They lived in Gainesville, Florida where she worked on their farm while raising children. She had other employment, including the Alachua County School Board, but her most memorable and the one she enjoyed the most was the book store she opened and ran called Myrt’s Newsstand.
Family and friends were Myrtle’s passion and delight. She loved to host big meals at her home for all to come and enjoy. One of her hobbies was canning vegetables and preserves, and you’d consider yourself pretty darn lucky if you were the recipient of her famous strawberry preserves. Another joy of Myrt’s was to relax at the river property and go fishing. She always kept active and even up until just recently, she would wake at 5 a.m. in order to go be a caregiver for an ill cousin.
Her family members are numerous, but mainly include:
Mother of 5 children & partners: Ronnie & Jeanette Thomas, Marilyn Thomas, Donald & Pam Thomas, Andrew Thomas, Randal & Beth Thomas.
Grandmother to 9: Kevin & Kelley Thomas, Christy Thomas, Kelly Thomas, Jason Thomas, Heather Thomas, Samantha Thomas, Shawn Thomas, Bubba Farmer, Kimberly Miller.
Great grandmother to 8.
Immediate family: Husband, Pete Gunter; 3 brothers, Calvin, James & Walter Gunter; 2 sisters, Leacy Cruce and Louise Reeves.
She also leaves behind numerous loving relatives and friends. Unfortunately, there are too many beloved friends, cousins, nieces and nephews to list or even count.
The family wishes to thank all those who cared for her during her illness, but we especially want to thank Danielle Bryan for all she did for our mother.
Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, December 1, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at WILLIAMS-THOMAS FUNERAL HOME DOWNTOWN, 404 N MAIN STREET, with Rev. Daniel Kendall officiating. Interment will follow at Antioch Baptist Cemetery, LaCrosse, Florida. The family will receive friends Monday, November 30, 2015 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make memorial donations in her name to Haven Hospice, 4200 NW 90th Blvd., Gainesville, FL 32606, or The American Cancer Society, 2119 SW 16th St, Gainesville, FL 32608.
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