Brook Katlyn Gunn

As a young child, Brook loved to play softball, play house with her friends in the neighborhood, ride 4-wheelers at her Papaw Norman’s house, play card games and play dress up with her younger brother and sister. As Brook got older, she moved on to having a love for clothes, hair and makeup, and boy did she have some expensive taste.

At the age of 12, Brook moved to Bentonville, Arkansas to live with her dad, stepmom and younger siblings. Anytime Brook would leave and “move back” to Texarkana, she would always make her way back home to NWA.

Brook was always a fashionista and loved to do her hair and makeup. She was a lover of classic mustangs. Brook never met a stranger and would always give random people compliments or encouraging words. She had a heart for special needs children. Brook and her family would frequent Ron’s Hamburgers and Chili so frequently, that she eventually started working there as a teenager and continued until her death.

As a member of First Baptist Bentonville, Brook enjoyed going to the Studio 412 and all their many youth functions. During DNOW 2014, Brook came to know the Lord as her savior. Even with everything she has been through, Brook has had many conversations with the mentors in her life and knew that Christ loved her and she trusted Him.

Although Brook loved life to the fullest, she also struggled with mental illness. She was very open about it to certain people more than others. Many friends have opened up to her family and shared that Brook was always there for them and how she has “saved their life” on multiple occasions.

Brook was preceded in death by her Uncle Kevin Matthews; her Grandmothers, Sandra Kaye Gill and Gigi Berry; Brook’s biggest supporter and protector, her daddy, Eric Gunn also preceded her in death last year, 2021.

Brook leaves behind her mother, Cindi Gunn; Stepmom, Brandi Chappell (Daryl); brothers, Blake Gunn and Kayden Gunn; sister, Presley Gunn; Grandpa’s, Norman Daniels and John Gunn; Grandparents, Kelly and Terri Simon and Scott and Margaret Campbell, as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Brook also leaves behind her favorite companion and friend, her dog, Luna.

Behind her beautiful smile, Brook suffered from so much psychological pain. Even though her life was full of adventures, they sometimes lead up and down mountains of emotional battles. Brook tried so hard to manage without any use of medications and/or counseling.

Any type of mental illness can not be dealt with by yourself. If anyone has thoughts of suicide, please reach out to Brook’s family, a trusted loved one, your pastor or a trusted friend. YOU ARE NEVER ALONE!! You may think there is no hope, but there is! You can call or text 988 or text TALK to 741741.

A visitation and celebration of her life will be held at First Baptist Church Bentonville on Saturday, September 24th. Visitation will begin at 11am and Celebration of her life at 12pm with burial to follow at Bentonville Cemetery, where she will be placed beside her daddy.

In lieu of flowers, you may make donations in Brook’s memory to FBC Bentonville and/or to American Foundation of Suicide Prevention - Arkansas Chapter.