April Kimberly Gunter

April Kimberly (Allen) Gunter, 39, peacefully passed away after a brief illness on May 15, 2012, in Round Rock. Services are 10:00 a.m. Saturday, May 19, at Westover Hills Church of Christ, 8332 Mesa Drive, Austin. Graveside services will be private.

April was born November 3, 1972, in Roswell, New Mexico, to Carlyn Delaine (Stimson) and Sterling Blane Allen. She attended Kentwood High School in Kent, Washington, through her junior year. She graduated from Anderson High School, in Austin, in 1991. She earned a BA in Speech Communication from Texas A&M University in 1995. April married Thomas Arthur Gunter on June 1, 1996, at University Church of Christ in Austin. April and Thomas moved to live in Round Rock in 2002.

April and Thomas' life together seemed destined knowing that April's father, Blane, and Thomas' mother, Anne, spent fifth grade together in Mrs. Mathis' class, Las Cruces, New Mexico in 1959. The families did not meet again until 1990 when Thomas and April met at an SPJST Hall dance in Round Rock. They were inseparable soul mates from that moment . April and Thomas are members of Westover Hills Church of Christ.

At 14, April lost her mother to cancer. Five years ago, April’s father passed away. For these reasons and more, April always showed strength and determination to live her life to the fullest and fill every life she touched with joy, energy, and enthusiasm. Among her many talents were home decorating, party planning, sewing, cooking, hairdressing, and well, there wasn't much April couldn't do. On the list of her hidden talents is singing the Dixie Chicks’ "Landslide" as Magnolia, her karaoke persona and Southern belle alter ego, Maggie. It was a performance you had to experience to appreciate. She discovered a special talent for calling the coyotes at Palo Duro Canyon on a family camping trip.

April tirelessly contributed to her community with her devotion to Round Rock ISD where she offered her marketing expertise, determination and inspiration while serving as PTA Vice-President and this year’s PTA President. April was the Parent Support Specialist and later College Bound Mentor Grant Coordinator for RRISD. Continuing a three generation family tradition, April served as Girl Scout leader for her daughter. Prior to her position with RRISD, April was employed by Sunset Direct in Austin as Director of Public Communications.

April was Thomas’ devoted and loving wife, Thomas Allen’s, Ava’s and Forrest’s untiring and loving mother, Dawn’s special little sister, and Brent’s guiding older sister. She was your childhood friend, your best friend forever, your champion, your companion and your cheerleader. She could not say "No" and jumped in with effervescent enthusiasm yelling, "Let's do it!" At one time or another she cared for each of us in need, in crisis, in sickness, in life and in death. April did this willingly, without hesitation, with every fiber of her being, against all odds and with love in her heart.

April is survived by her husband, Thomas Arthur Gunter; children: Thomas Allen (12), Ava Delaine (9), and Forrest Calvin (8); grandparents: Rebecca and Sterling Allen of Sebring, Florida; aunts and uncles: Leana (Allen) and Jim Revell of Sebring, Florida, and Trisha and Sterling Dale Allen of Anchorage, Alaska; sister Dawn Lynette and husband Daniel Adams of Seattle, Washington; brother Sterling Brent Allen of Sugar Land; niece: Abigail Rebecca Adams, of Seattle; father-in-law Thomas Glen Gunter and wife Donna of Austin; mother-in-law Elizabeth Anne Boykin of College Station; sister-in-law Tamara Anne Gunter of Austin; best friend, Julie Keller of North Bend, Washington; and numerous family members and countless friends.

The family truly appreciates the staff of Seton Medical Center-Williamson County for their expertise, kindness, and compassion.

Arrangements by Cook-Walden Capital Parks, Pflugerville, Texas. In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions be made in April's memory to Round Rock ISD Partners in Education Foundation Mentoring Program. Mail charitable contributions to: RRISD PIEF, 595 Round Rock West, Suite 404, Round Rock, TX 78681 with “Mentoring – April” on the memo line.