Arlene (Gunter) Hill

Ms. Arlene Gunter Hill of Tarboro, N.C. entered into eternal rest on November 19,2023 at her home surrounded by her family.

During the summer of 1956, the late Florence and Roger Gunter, Sr., welcomed their daughter, Arlene, into the world. She was also affectionately known as BayLoo.

BayLoo resided in Pitt County with her family and received her formal education from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. She was no stranger to challenging work and held several positions in manufacturing, food service, and healthcare.

She mastered the principle of working hard and playing harder by indulging in things she was passionate about. BayLoo was an excellent fisherman. If there was a good fishing hole, she knew about it and would often invite her siblings or grandchildren to join her. She was a seamstress who enjoyed sewing curtains, adding embellishments to floral arrangements, or hemming pants for loved ones. She specialized in hosting family and friends who would be thoroughly entertained by her love of music, witty sayings, and good food. BayLoo knew her way around the kitchen and made certain to serve a meal to nourish your body as well as your spirit.

It was no secret how much BayLoo loved the Lord. She was a faithful member of Shekinah Glory Ministries in Bethel, North Carolina where she served as a Mother. In fact, she was the longest standing member of the church. When her health declined and she could no longer attend services, she would have praise and worship with Pastor over the phone.

BayLoo lived a full life but her greatest accomplishments were being Hillard Brown’s wife and her most cherished legacy was her children: Antonio Gunter, Sr., Laura Gunter, Willie Gunter (Nikki), and Ny’Brea Gunter. She was also the proud grandmother of 15 grandchildren and 12 great- grandchildren. Her siblings, Hilda Speight (James), Vera Brown (Joe), Delois Dixon, Ella Gunter, Cynthia Gunter, Della Mae Mitchell, Calvin Gunter (Lillie), Roger Gunter, Jr., and Melvin Gunter (Juanita) meant the world to her.
 

She relished in the years of friendship that she shared
with her best sister-friend, Carrie Hedgepeth. Family was important to BayLoo and she was showered with adoration by a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. She shared special bonds with her granddaughter, Parish Winstead, niece, Iris Gunter, and bonus daughter, Tyronda Whitaker.
BayLoo was loved deeply and will be missed dearly. There is comfort in knowing that she is now reunited with her family who preceded her in Glory—her parents, Florence and Roger Gunter, Sr.; son, Antonio Gunter, Sr.; and siblings, Della Mae Faison, Carolyn Moore, Joseph Gunter, and Linwood Gunter.
Encompassed with love and surrounded by family, BayLoo peacefully transitioned from labor to reward on Sunday, November 19, 2023

Arrangements have been entrusted to Heavenly Arms Family Mortuary & Cremation Services, 201 Water Street Tarboro, N.C.