Frances H Gunter

Frances Hudgins Gunter, 90, of Ocean Springs, MS passed away peacefully on June 2, 2023, in Ocean Springs, MS. Frances was born on April 7, 1933 to Claude and Dorris Hudgins in Kosciusko, MS and was one of 14 children. She had humble beginnings being raised in rural Attala County MS on the family farm. She learned a strong work ethic, developed a selfless service mentality and excelled in her school studies.  Frances moved to Biloxi, MS with her Uncle Joe Killebrew (Rosemond) owner of a Biloxi Bakery, and completed her senior year of high school at Sacred Heart High School in Biloxi.

Frances later graduated from The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS and was a first-grade teacher for approximately 30 years with the majority of those years at Pecan Park Elementary in Ocean Springs, MS. She loved teaching and touched the lives of hundreds of people throughout those years.  She was a member of the United Daughters of the Confederacy of Biloxi, MS # 623 and was a dedicated, faithful member of First Baptist Church of Ocean Springs, MS where she sang with the choir.  

Frances was always quick with a beautiful smile that lit up the room and always carried herself with grace. She maintained the selfless service throughout her life and always put others first. Frances will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Frances is survived by her children, Edmund (Ed) Gunter and Harry Gunter (Kimberly); sister, Margaret Buie; brother, Sammy Hudgins (Sheila); grandchildren, Timothy Cross, Harrison Gunter (Aubree), Alexis Cross, Miles Gunter (Molly), Madison Gunter, and Christian Gunter; and great grandchildren, Emerson Gunter, Brantley Cross, Kensleigh Holland, Alaina Holland and Bayleigh Cross.

Frances was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Gordon Gunter (Director Emeritus of Gulf Coast Research Laboratory); father, Claude Hudgins, Sr.; mother, Dorris Killebrew Hudgins; sisters, Betty Jo Cox, Mary Calhoun, and Patricia Ann Blaine; brothers, Eugene Hudgins, Claude Hudgins, Jr., Wayne Hudgins, Robert Hudgins, James Hudgins, Fred Hudgins, Charles Hudgins, and Paul Hudgins; and step-children, Miles Gordon Gunter, Charlotte Wood and Patrick Gunter.

Visitation will be held at First Baptist Church of Ocean Springs on Wednesday, June 7, 2023 beginning at 1 pm, with funeral services at 2 pm.  Frances will be laid to rest at Crestlawn Memorial Park in Ocean Springs, MS.

The family would like to give a special heartfelt thanks to the administration and staff of the Lighthouse Assisted Living & Memory Care of Ocean Springs, Traditions Hospice and Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home for the exceptional care provided to Frances.  

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Frances Hudgins Gunter.