[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 15 (Tuesday, January 24, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E45]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO REVEREND LEWIS GUNTER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 24, 2023

  Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a beloved 
faith and community leader. Reverend Lewis Gunter transitioned from 
this life on January 11, 2023, but indelible mark on the State of South 
Carolina remains.
  Rev. Gunter was born on April 13, 1930, in Lexington County, South 
Carolina to the late Mr. Cellus and Mrs. Beulah Gunter. He attended 
public school in Lexington County before moving to Aiken, South 
Carolina, where he graduated from Schofield High School. He pursued 
higher education at Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina. He 
was committed to helping those in need and earned his bachelor's degree 
in social work.
  Rev. Gunter got his early spiritual education at Hall Hill Baptist 
Church in Pelion, South Carolina. The first church he pastored was Mt. 
Olive Baptist Church, in Gadsden, South Carolina. He would continue to 
preach the gospel in Richland County, pastoring Gill Creek Baptist 
Church in Columbia, South Carolina, and Jerusalem Baptist Church in 
Hopkins, South Carolina. On October 20, 1976, Rev. Gunter founded 
Gunter's Chapel Baptist Church with 22 charter members in a temporary 
space. Under his leadership the congregation grew and prospered, and in 
1993 the church opened the doors of its newly-built sanctuary. 
Throughout his career, he traveled the country conducting revivals and 
was active in several Christian organizations. After loyally guiding 
his congregation for 46 years and serving in the Ministry for 60 years, 
Rev. Gunter retired in 2022. I was pleased to be invited by his family 
and friends to keynote the retirement banquet that was held in his 
honor.
  He lived out his values through other channels of service to his 
community, city, state, and country. He served in the U.S. Navy for 
four years, in addition to his work with the U.S. Postal Service. Rev. 
Gunter was deeply connected to the land and was elected to serve as the 
Soil and Water District Commissioner for Richland County for six years. 
He additionally served as Minority Advisor for the Department of 
Agriculture for Calhoun and Richland Counties and was the state 
chaplain for the South Carolina Soil and Water Conservation.
  Rev. Gunter was a dedicated family man and was married to Lue E. 
Pearson Gunter for fifty-five years before her passing. They are 
lovingly remembered by their son, three grandchildren, and seven great-
grandchildren.
   Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and our colleagues join me in honoring 
the life of Reverend Lewis Gunter. He faithfully pastored those in his 
congregation, dedicating his life to his church and his community. His 
legacy will live on in all those who were blessed to know him.

                          ____________________