Joan Stevens Gunter, 79, of Gaston, died Saturday, January 18, 2014. Born in Columbia on August 22, 1934 she was a daughter of the late John Stevens and Annie Swink Stevens. She was a loving mother and cherished being a part of the Alpine Baptist Church family.

Survivors include her sons, Willard L. (Mecedes) Chavis, Jr. of Columbia, Thomas Joseph (Terry) Collins of Lexington, Gerald Steven Collins of Columbia; daughters, Deborah Collins Williams of Columbia, and Katherine Ann (Eddie) Freeman of Gaston; grandchildren, Jennifer and John Greider, Jr., Dalton Williams, Joey and Jeffrey Freeman, Krista and Ashley Collins, Justin Goff, and Brandi Collins; as well as 10 great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husbands, Clifford L. Collins, Owens Emmanuel Gunter, and Willard Lee Chavis.

A funeral service will be held at 12 o'clock Tuesday, January 21st at Alpine Baptist Church, Columbia, with The Rev. Mark Hill officiating. Interment will follow in Olympia Cemetery. The family will greet friends prior to the service beginning at 11 o'clock. Memorials may be made to Alpine Baptist Church, 4930 Alpine Road, Columbia, SC 29223.