Anna B. Gunter, 78, of Athens, died Sunday, Sept. 28, 2008.

A native and lifelong resident of McMinn County, she was a daughter of the late Samuel Andrew and Bertha Lucille Watkins Blankenship, and was preceded in death by her husband, Howard Eugene Gunter, on Sept. 29, 1965; and one sister, Virginia Witte. An avid Atlanta Braves fan, she was of the Baptist faith and had served as a Pink Lady at Woods Memorial Hospital. A former dental assistant for Dr. Carter\'s office from 1969-1992 and for Dr. Brown\'s office from 1992-1995, she was a former employee of Newton\'s Restaurant and Bus Station.

Survivors include one daughter, Nina Gunter Taylor of Athens; two sons and daughters-in-law, Rickie Dean and Sandra Gunter of Biloxi, Miss., and James David and Melanie Gunter of Athens; two sisters, Alene Mathews of Athens, and Eva Lou Blankenship of Cleveland; one brother, Ralph Blankenship of Englewood; one grandson, William Buckley \"Bucky\" Taylor; three step-grandchildren and two spouses, Dion Robinson, Darren and Carmen Robinson and Arlene and Russell Hatten, all of Wiggins, Miss.; two step-great-grandchildren and one spouse, Jerrod and Nikki Robinson and Hanna Robinson, all of Wiggins, Miss.; two step-great-great-grandchildren, Kyle Robinson and Sandra Clare Robinson, both of Wiggins, Miss.; and several nieces and nephews.

Special thanks to the nurses and staff of Life Care Center of Athens.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday in the chapel of Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home with the Rev. Craig Dale and Dr. Bob Kerr officiating. Burial will follow in McMinn Memory Gardens.

Pallbearers will be Chad Hensley, Shawn Hickey, Van Wall, Ron Starr, Dr. Jayson Carter and Norman Yarber.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Those unable to attend may send condolences to mailto:condolences@laycock-hobbs.com