Gunnells, Mary

SCRANTON: Another soldier has gone home. Mrs. Mary Flowers Gunnells, 76, widow of Rudolph Gunnells, entered into eternal life with Christ, after a long battle with cancer on Thursday, June 23, 2011. Mrs. Gunnells was born on October 9, 1934, in Lower Florence County. The last of a generation, she was preceded in death by her mother, Maggie Grey Flowers of Scranton, her father, Lonnie Flowers of Scranton, her sister, Clara McKenzie of Sumter, both brothers, Lamar Flowers of Scranton and Ronald Flowers of Denmark, her husband, Rudolph Gunnells of Scranton, and two sons, who also died of cancer, Harold Ray Gunnells of Scranton and Henry Clifford Gunnells of Lake City. She moved to Charleston in the early 50‘s and worked for the highway department and later became a homemaker. She came back home in Scranton in the mid 70‘s and returned to her love of farming. Her love for family and cooking led to many Sunday dinners, where on several occasions more than 50 people were in attendance, and three times more than 100 came. To Mary you could not put a price on that. She will be missed by family and friends, but reunited with others. It‘s not goodbye, just see you later. We love you Mom. Surviving are her daughters, Nancy (Chuck) Kellar of Nixville and DeeDee (Glenn) Kirby of Scranton; two sons, Bruce Gunnells and Jeff “Hippie” Gunnells, both of the home; 16 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren and one on the way; and 2 great, great-grandchildren. The family would like to express their thanks and appreciation to Dr. Richard K. Ellis and his staff, the staff of United Hospice, Linda Atkinson, CNA and friend, Terry, Dan and staff of The Medicine Cabinet, Donna Rotan, first nurse, friend and prayer partner, and the many others we have met through this battle, for all of their care and concern shown to Mary and her family. Funeral services will be at 2:00 P.M., Sunday, June 26, 2011, at Carolina Funeral Home Chapel with burial to follow in the Manoah Southern Methodist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., Saturday, June 25th at Carolina Funeral Home, 215 E. Highway 378 ByPass, Scranton.