Eloise Cone Gunter

November 22, 1929 – November 13, 2026

Eloise Cone Gunter, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 13, 2026, just nine days shy of her 97th birthday. Though her time on earth came just short of a century, she lived enough lives, collected enough stories, and touched enough hearts to fill several lifetimes.

Born on November 22, 1929, in Altoona, Alabama, Eloise moved with her family to Cullman County in the 1930s at the beginning of the Great Depression. She attended school there before returning to Altoona in the 1940s, graduating from Altoona High School in 1948. In 1950, she married J.D. Gunter, a local boy and classmate. From an early age, Eloise possessed a charm, wit, and vibrant personality that stayed with her throughout her life.

Eloise began her career in 1950 with Southern Bell, working in Birmingham, Alabama; Columbus, Georgia; and Gadsden, Alabama. In the 1960s, she worked for Auburn University, the University of Illinois, and Highland Community College in Freeport, Illinois. Throughout her career, she held many roles that highlighted her natural Southern social grace, leaving a lasting impression on everyone who crossed her path. She truly carried the spirit of a Southern woman.

Over the course of her life, Eloise called many places home. She and J.D. raised their family in Alabama, Illinois, Tennessee, and Georgia before returning to Alabama in 2000 to reside at their waterside home on Weiss Lake. Following J.D.’s passing, she moved back to Georgia to be close to her adult children.

Her greatest accomplishment was her family. Eloise and J.D. shared more than 70 years of marriage. Together, they built a beautiful life filled with devotion and cherished memories, creating a foundation of love that carries on through the generations. They raised three children—Steve, Mike, and Julie—instilling in them the values of kindness, compassion, and generosity. The greatest reflection of their life together can be seen in the family they built and the love that continues to be shared.

A giver with a kind heart, Eloise had a way of making people feel at ease and welcome. She was known for her passion for family history, staying connected to her roots, and her ability to tell detailed stories that left everyone wanting to know more. Throughout her 96 years, she witnessed generations come and go and experienced a world that changed beyond recognition, sharing her wisdom and making memories with her family that will live on for generations to come.

She is survived by her children, Steve Gunter, Mike Gunter, and Julie Gunter (Mick); her grandchildren, Lindsey Gravitt (Adam), Jared Gunter (April), Mollie Malone, and William Malone; her great-grandchildren, Adalyn and Aiden Gravitt, Jaxon and Sadie Gunter; her surviving sister, Jackie Marchetti; nieces and nephews, Sandy, Sha, Johnny and David; and countless extended family members and friends who will forever cherish her memory.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, J.D. Gunter; her parents; her brothers, Elbert, Frank, and Max; and her niece, Kim.

Though she may have missed her 97th birthday by just nine days, she certainly did not miss out on living. Her marriage to J.D., the family they created, and the memories she leaves behind will forever be a part of her legacy—96 years young, and what a wonderful life.

Visitation will be held at Collier-Butler Funeral Home, 824 Rainbow Drive, Gadsden, AL 35901, on November 18, 2026, from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm followed by a Funeral Service at 12:30 pm.