Funeral services for Barbara Lou Gunter, 87, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 3:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 31, 2025, in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mrs. Gunter passed away at 9:45 a.m., Sunday, December 28, 2025, at her home.
She was born November 18, 1938, at West Plains, Missouri, to Homer Ingram and Nellie Brotherton Ingram. Barbara Lou, lovingly known as Maw-Maw or Sis by all who knew her, lived a life of devotion and care to her family and friends and her many neighbors and all the children she had a hand in raising. She was faithfully married to the man who adored her above all else, Bobby Dean Gunter (Bob) for 68 years. They raised one son whom they had upmost pride in, Dennis Ray Gunter. She had three beautiful granddaughters, Amy, Amber and Jami, who were the center of her world. She would have done anything for those girls. She had an unbreakable bond with her sister, Pamela Sue. They spent many summers in Branson going to shows, shopping, and chasing after her granddaughters, niece and nephew. She ran a daycare out of her home for nearly 30 years and watched most of the communities’ children and then their children grew up. She continued to check in on them throughout their lives and kept their pictures in her hutch. Her grilled cheese, buttered toast, ham ‘n beans and dumplings are fondly remembered by those children and their parents. You did not have to be her child for her to make you feel like you were. She loved her poodles and had a handful through the years. Pepper was always by her side.
She is survived by her husband, Bob Gunter; one son, Dennis Ray Gunter and wife, Cindy; three granddaughters, Amy Lee Vonallmen, Amber Wynette Hollis and special friend, Jarred and Jami Lynn Biggers and husband, Justyn; ten great-grandchildren, Alexis Bryan, Kamren Bryan, Avree Barks, Kaleb Harring, Madison Hollis, Jaxson Hollis, Jayden Smith, Julyauna Biggers, Jaelynn Biggers and Jamstyn Biggers; one sister, Pamela Sue Cawvey-Kompare and husband, Charles; one niece, Kayla Cawvey, one nephew, Carson, Cawvey; and her beloved dog, Pepper.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Nellie Ladine Brotherton and Homer Bert Ingram, whom she loved dearly and her brother-in-law, Richard Dale Cawvey, whom she adored.
MawMaw made you feel important. She listened when you talked. She cooked your meals when you were hungry and stuffed those brown paper sacks till you couldn’t fold the top down. She cared about everyone who passed through her doors and never met a stranger. She is certainly walking through Heaven’s gates with a perfectly done beehive and shoes to match her outfit. Barbara was greatly loved, and her presence will be sorely missed by all who knew her.
Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in Howell Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the family, and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 W. Main St., West Plains, Missouri
