of Vilonia, AR

June 1, 1939 - July 8, 2024

Ila Mae Gunter, 85, of Vilonia, Arkansas, passed away on Monday, July 8, 2024, at her home, surrounded by her family. She was born on June 1, 1939, in El Paso, Arkansas, to the late Idress Short and Catherine Harston Short.

Ila had a happy childhood in El Paso, where she enjoyed playing with her sisters and visiting with her relatives. As a young teen, she began working in the strawberry fields and picking cotton to earn extra money for school clothes. She was a good student who excelled in typing and shorthand. After graduating from Beebe High School in 1957, Ila went to work in the military department at Camp Robinson doing secretarial work. In 1958, she obtained a position in the State Auditor's Office. A short time later, she moved to a position in the Office of the State Treasurer, where she would stay until she retired thirty years later in 1988.

Ila has always been known for her kindness, her generosity, and her love of family and Jesus. Ila attended church faithfully at United Fellowship Church until her health wouldn't allow her to any longer. Dementia stole a lot of things from her but it could never take her sweet spirit or her smile.

Ila was preceded in death by her loving husband of 63 years, Roy, as well as her sister, Patsy Ruth Jones.

Ila is survived by her sons, Steve (Misti) Gunter of Vilonia, and Mark (Tara) Gunter also of Vilonia. She is also survived by five grandchildren, Brooke (Joseph) Potts of El Paso, Amber (Charlie) Mattheis of Beebe, Chance (Jordyn) Gunter of Vilonia, Zane Gunter of Conway, and Zoie Gunter of Vilonia, and three great-grandchildren, JR and Judson Potts, and RayLee Mae Gunter. She is also survived by one sister, Jane (Larry)Glover of Conway, and a host of nephews and nieces.

A visitation will be held on Friday, July 12, 2024, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Roller-McNutt in Conway, Arkansas. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 13, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. also at Roller-McNutt. Burial will follow the service at Crestlawn Memorial Park in Conway, Arkansas.

Serving as pallbearers will be Chance Gunter, Zane Gunter, Brian Glover, Brett Glover, Joseph Potts, and Charlie Mattheis. Honorary pallbearers are Larry Glover, Tim Harrison, and Preston Keller. Officiants are Bro. Mike Himes and Daron Williams.

Our family would like to thank Arkansas Hospice for the excellent care that they provided to Ila over the last several months. We would also like to extend a special thank you to Shelley Andrews for the meals that she has so faithfully provided over the past three years, and to Carol Burns for her care of and friendship with Ila.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-McNutt Funeral Home
650 Central Landing Blvd.
Conway, AR  72032
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com