Georgetown, SC

Joyce Jayroe Gunter, 87, passed away Monday, March 11, 2024, at her home in Georgetown. She was born in Georgetown County, a daughter of the late James Marvin Jayroe and Constance (Finklea) Jayroe.

The youngest of eight children raised in the Friendship/Sampit section of Georgetown County, Joyce was always proud of her roots and community. She attended Oak Grove Grammar School, Andrews High School, and graduated from Winyah High School in 1956. She then attended Georgetown Tech, taking accounting classes, among others. She has been a member of First Baptist Church, Georgetown since 1972.

In further service to her community, she was District Coordinator for the Georgetown Soil and Water Conservation District for 10 years from 1989 -1999. In 2000 she was appointed to the Board of Voter Registration & Elections, being voted Chairman after just two short months. She served on this Board for 12 years.

She was an avid reader, and was a very frequent visitor at the Georgetown County Library. Those visits could only be overshadowed by her enjoyment of a good book on one our beautiful beaches.

She was extremely proud of her seven siblings, all who have preceded her in death. Their names are Lila J. Bath, Russell Jayroe, Thelma J. Daniels, Mabel J. Epps, Claire J. Thomas, O'Neal Jayroe, and J. P. Jayroe.

She is survived by her husband of 66 years, William D. Gunter of the home; one son, William D. Gunter, Jr. (Paula) of Georgetown; one daughter, Connie Gunter Spahr (Doug) of Murrells Inlet; five grandchildren, Gavin, Ryan, and Tyler Spahr, Caitlin Spahr Handley, and Zachary Gunter; and three great-grandchildren, Meredith Spahr, Bishop Handley, and Gavin Spahr, II.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 7:00 PM Thursday at the Georgetown Chapel of Mayer-Ethridge Funeral Home, 222 Saint James Street. Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Friday, March 15, 2024, in First Baptist Church, Georgetown. Burial will follow in Elmwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to First Baptist Church, Georgetown, 219 Cleland St., Georgetown, SC 29440.

The Georgetown Chapel of Mayer-Ethridge Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.