Wanda J Gunter

Our dear mother, Wanda Jean Ellis Edwards Gunter, sadly passed away on April 3, 2024, at the age of 97-years old.  She lived a full life and was a beloved member of the Putnam County community.  She is the last member of C.O. (Otie) and Eunice Ellis of Hurricane.  She is preceded in death by her brothers, Paul (Ruth); Mervin (Helen), and Clyde and Eleanor (Ray). She was married to James R. Edwards, 1946-1979, and Houston Gunter from 1984 until his death in 1999.   She was born at home on November 17, 1926, in Hurricane, the youngest of five.  She attended Hurricane High School.  Wanda worked with her father as a Deputy Assessor for many years during his time in office as Putnam County’s Assessor and several years after his death.  Her ability to strike up and keep a conversation going was a natural asset.  She worked as a receptionist/manager for Dr. Prince Mingo, legal secretary for the late Judge James Holiday and Ross & Juba-Plumley in the Hurricane office.  Following retirement, she volunteered and worked tirelessly at Mount Vernon Baptist Church where she was a life-long member.  She was the church secretary for a number of years and served as chairperson of the Board of Trustees, a Deaconess, a member of the Mt. Vernon choir, and organized the Ona Eggleston Circle class craft shows and kitchen activities.  Wanda was a member of Rainbow Quartet since high school. She was a member of gospel quartet, The Sonlight Unlimited, in the 1990s traveling throughout the region and recording a cassette.

Wanda never met a stranger.  When you entered her home, one of the first things you noticed were the words on her wall which describe how she lived. Live, Laugh, and Love and the last word was Welcome.  She lived her life to the fullest, laughed often and hard, and the most important was love.  She loved her family and friends unconditionally.

Wanda was an avid flower gardener. From the time she could venture out in the spring until the first frost, you could find her tending her gardens.  She designed and built unique birdhouses and yard art.  She enjoyed nothing more than sitting in her swing watching the squirrels, chipmucks, and birds. 

Wanda leaves behind three children, Bob (Debbie) Edwards of Hurricane; Gaytha (Aubrey) Harris of Eatonton, GA, and Brenda (Ed) Turley of Hurricane.  Three granddaughters:  Anissa (Jeff) Rose of Ashland, KY; Karen Turley of Hurricane, and Kara (Chris) Miltsch of York, PA; Ten great-grandchildren:  Trey McGranahan and Luke Rose of Ashland, KY; Alex and Miranda Lewis of Hurricane; and Karleigh, Chandler, Campbell, Crieghton, and Coltin Miltsch of York, PA; and Three great-great grandchildren, Xander and Journi Turley and Niomi Burks. Sister-in-law Faye Ellis

The funeral will be held on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at Allen Funeral Home in Hurricane.  Visitation will be from 11:00 AM followed by the funeral at 1:00 PM. Burial will follow in Mt. Vernon Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donation in her name to Kanawha Hospice Care, 1606 Kanawha Blvd., Charleston, WV, 25387 or Hubbard Hospice House, 1061 Curtis Price Way, Charleston, WV 25301. 

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