Barbara Teresa Gunter

Barbara Teresa “Bobbie” Gunter, of West Memphis, Arkansas, passed away peacefully on Sept. 11, 2019, while surrounded by loved ones in her home of 62 years. She was 90 years of age. She was born on Nov. 14, 1928 in Brinkley, Arkansas, to Joseph and Elfa Werstlein Perdzock. Bobbie was a long-time member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in West Memphis. There she was a member of the church choir, where she once served as director of both the church and school choirs. At St. Michael’s, she was a member and past president of the Infant of Prague Guild, member of the Alter Society, and member of the Parish Council. Mrs. Gunter was also active in her community. While her children were active in Scouts, she was a Girl Scout Leader and a Cub Scout den mother for the parish Cub Scouts. She was a big supporter of the youth organizations, clubs, and schools in which her children and grandchildren were involved. You could always hear her in the bleachers cheering not only for her own children, but for everyone else, too. Sewing was one of Bobbie’s a favorite hobbies. It brought her much joy to make things for her loved ones. Her daughters fondly remember their mother putting the last stiches into their prom dresses as they were going out the door. Her children were proud of their various pairs of matching shorts that their mother made for them. The veil she stitched for Margaret’s wedding traveled the country as a “something borrowed”. Crocheted afghans, Nativity sets, stuffed animals, and school mascots are treasures for her children and grandchildren. Cooking for a large family made Bobbie a resourceful and an accommodating hostess. She made the best goulash. Her homemade brownies were a well-kept secret for twenty-five years. It was nothing for her to have the family show up on a whim and she would prepare them a feast. There was always room at her table for one more and bed for a college student who didn’t have a place to stay during the holidays. Bobbie is preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, George W. Gunter III, her son Lee (Jesse) Gunter, her parents and four sisters, Mary Perdzock, Margaret Ann Wolters, Pat Vandiver, Joanne Martin, and, a brother, Joseph Perdzock. Her surviving children are: Ann (Bruce) Razer of Bradford, Arkansas; Walter Gunter (Natalie) of Marion, Arkansas; Richard Gunter (Martha) of West Memphis; Paul Gunter (Janet) of Jonesboro, Arkansas; Robert Gunter (Andie) of Evansville, Indiana; Sister Teresa Gunter, O.S.B. of Ferdinand, Indiana; Margaret Henson (Donnie) of Marion; ten grand children and eight great-grandchildren. A Rosary Service was held on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, in West Memphis, Services for Mrs. Gunter were held on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, St. Michael’s Catholic Church, with burial at Crittenden Memorial Park. The family requests that all memorial contributions be made to the Monastery of the Immaculate Conception 802 E 10th Street, Ferdinand, Indiana or to St. Michael’s Catholic Church or School in West Memphis.