Laura Louise Ashley Gunter, 75, of Statesville, passed away Friday, June 16, 2011 at Gordon Hospice House following a lengthy illness. Mrs. Gunter was born April 18, 1936 in Ashe County and was the daughter of the late Hamp Ashley and Sara Staley Ashley. She attended Ashe County schools and on August 19, 1967, she was married to Andrew J. Gunter, who survives, of the home. Mrs. Gunter was retired from Magla Products where she worked as an inspector and she was of the Baptist faith. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Gunter was also preceded in death by one son, Robert "Robbie" Hamp Pharr; one sister, Ennis Simpson along with three brothers, Joe, Frank, and Claude Ashley. Along with her husband, Andrew J. Gunter of Statesville, Mrs. Gunter is also survived by one son, Scott Gunter (Regina) of Mocksville; three daughters, Debbie Weston (Gary) of Statesville, Elaine Foster (Tim) of Union Grove, and Donna Bragg (Andrew) of Salisbury. She is also survived by two brothers, Larry Ashley of Statesville and Leonard Ashley (Maxine) of West Jefferson, and one sister, Bobbie Jean Pharr (Gene) of Troutman. Also surviving are 13 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren along with numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services for Mrs. Gunter will be conducted 2:00 pm Monday, June 20, 2011 in the Nicholson Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Michael Pharr and Mr. Josh Vernon officiating. The family will visit with friends from 1:00 until 2:00 pm Monday at the funeral home. Burial will follow in the Iredell Memorial Gardens Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Iredell County, 2347 Simonton Road, Statesville, N.C. 28625. Online condolences can be made to the family at
www.nicholsonfunerals.com/obituaries
. Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of Louise Gunter.