James Russell Gunter

James Russell Gunter, 56, of Graniteville, SC, peacefully stepped into eternity with God on May 15, 2018, following a courageous battle with lung cancer. He is now in the presence of his Lord Jesus and continues to praise God as he did during his decades of church music ministry. Russell’s family will receive friends at Napier Funeral Home, 315 Main Street, Graniteville, Thursday evening, May 17, from five o’clock until seven o’clock. A celebration of his life and homegoing will be conducted Friday afternoon, May 18, at four o’clock at Calvary Baptist Church, 194 Ascauga Lake Road, Graniteville. Officiating are Reverends Steve Gillette, James Young, and David Rochester. The interment will follow at the historic Graniteville Cemetery; pallbearers will be Robby Kissiah, Eric Riddell, Kevin Tietze, Forrest Scott, David Mathis, and Ricky Smith. Russell was born in Aiken, SC, on January 21, 1962, to James N. Gunter, Jr., and Elizabeth Gail Beal Gunter. Russell is preceded in death by his mother, Gail, and his youngest sister, Doris Gunter, whom he now joins in worship of their Savior. Russell is survived by his loving wife of 33 years, Leslie Boyd Gunter; two sons, Andrew Gunter (Lisa) of Brandon, MS, and Zachary Gunter (Amanda) of Graniteville; a grandson, Judah Gunter of Brandon, MS; his father, Rev. Jimmy Gunter of Aiken; his sisters, Debra Yon (Mark) of Graniteville and Darlene Lindsay (Randy) of Aiken; his niece, Shelly Yon of Graniteville; and his nephew, Joshua Yon (Samantha) of Beech Island, SC. Russell was a graduate of Leavelle McCampbell High School in Graniteville and of the University of South Carolina. He worked as a music educator in both Edgefield and Aiken county schools and as a school administrator at LBC Middle and Byrd Elementary schools; Russell also served in state-level music and school administrative organizations. He was minister of music at Talatha Baptist Church in Aiken and, for almost 33 years, at Calvary Baptist Church in Graniteville. He loved teaching, leading, making music, as well as all things Christmas! In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Calvary Baptist Church. Napier Funeral Home, Inc. 315 Main St. Graniteville SC, 29829 has been entrusted with these arrangements. You may visit the online guest register at www.napierfuneralhomeinc.com.