Jean R. Gunter

Jean Gunter died Monday, September 20, 2021, after a long illness. Jean was the daughter of the late Cora Lillian Fair Rogers and Jacob Thomas Rogers of Bokoshe, Oklahoma. Jean was born Jessie Bernice Rogers, but never felt that “Jessie” quite suited her so she changed her name to Jean when she moved to Lexington, SC.

Mom told us fantastical tales of growing up “dirt poor” in Oklahoma in the 1930s - tales of picking cotton and tobacco, not having shoes and being barefoot when it wasn’t winter, single-room schoolhouses, barn cats, and seeing her very first banana at the Mercantile store. She grew up to become a grand and gracious Lady, settling in Lexington with her first husband – our Dad, Arthur Carter - in the early 1960s and beginning world travel with Dad as one of her favorite hobbies. After Dad’s death in 1992, Jean remarried twice and continued her vibrant and abundant life. As for her family, we were all blessed to have had three amazing Dads who made her life so rich and full. Mom taught us the invaluable lesson of welcoming others. Her motto for any gathering was, “Tell them to come on. There’s plenty”. As she leaves us, we can only pray that we continue her beautiful traditions of inviting in and caring for others as she did.

She is survived by her children, Arthur V. Carter, Jr. (Lydia) of Lexington, Susan C. Davis (Rodney) of West Columbia, Franklin H. Carter (Michelle) of Lexington. Jean was very proudly “Granny Jean” to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Shanna Carter, Haylee C. Steele (Justin), Ethan Carter (Tasha), Jessica Davis (Krista), Andrew Davis (Christine), Chance Carter, Christopher (Courtney) Joyner and Nicholas Joyner all have wonderful memories of going to Granny’s. Granny Jean especially adored her little great-grandchildren. Vaida and Owen Carter, Monroe Steele, Morgan, Levi and Killian Davis, Parker and Rowan Guessford, Mason Kennington, Colton and Molly Joyner live on as her greatest treasures.

The entire family would like to offer their most profound gratitude to the following people: to the ladies who were with us all from the very beginning of Mom’s illness, we could have never made it through this without you. Rose Gunter, Maggie Lewis, Danita Phillips, Sabrina Reed, and Yasman Jackson, we are so very grateful to you for taking such wonderful care of us all. To Liz Durham, thank you for always keeping us looking our best. We are indebted to the Care Staff of Wellmore of Lexington’s Memory Care wing for their love and devotion to Mom and their remarkable care for her and her well-being. We also are thankful to the staff of All Seasons Hospice for their compassionate care of Mom and their support of us as a family.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, September 23, 2021 at Lexington Baptist Church, 308 East Main Street, Lexington, SC 29072 at 11:00 a.m. The family will receive visitors beginning at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Lexington Memorial Cemetery, located at 1772 West Main Street, Lexington, SC 29072.

Memorials may be made to Bokoshe First Baptist Church, Post Office Box 405, Bokoshe, OK 74930.