On January 29, 2014 Jesus called and Swayne answered. Mr. Gunter was born July 2, 1944 to Oliver and Elma Norton Gunter. He was a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Swayne enjoyed hunting, fishing and picking the banjo and guitar. In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by sisters Zula Rice and Linda Davidson.

Swayne leaves behind his wife of 44 years, Phyllis Chandler Gunter; daughters, Melinda Gunter and Marsha Sawyer (Scotty); twin sons, Lonnie Gunter (Lindsey) and Donnie Gunter (Charletta); five grandchildren, Dalton and Seth Sawyer, Savannah, Ellory and Mason Swayne Gunter; brothers O.C. Gunter (Carolyn) and Dennis Gunter (Marie); Uncle Lemuel "Snuke" Norton (Edna).

The funeral service will be held 2:00pm, Saturday, February 1, at Robbie Capps Memorial Chapel of Blue Ridge Funeral Service, Mars Hill. Reverend Elmer Edwards will officiate. Burial will follow in the Gunter family cemetery, Flint Hill Rd., Alexander. The family will receive friends one hour prior to service.

Serving as pallbearers will be Robert Honeycutt Jr., Arther Gunter, Kenny Shelton, Doyle Rice, Eric and Jerry Cutshall.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Blue Ridge Funeral Service, PO Box 27, Mars Hill, NC 28754 to help the family with final expenses.