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Mary Aycock Green Gunnels (08-02-2009)
Mary Aycock Green Gunnels, 65, of Magnolia, AR, passed away on Friday, July 31, 2009, at her home after fighting a courageous battle with breast cancer.

Mrs. Gunnels is survived by her husband, Joe Knighten Gunnels, of Magnolia; her daughters, Michelle Green Jimmerson and husband John of Ruston, Louisiana; Melissa Green Braswell of Magnolia; Meridith Green Bateman and husband Charlie of Texarkana, AR; and son, Robert Scott Gunnels and wife Deidra of Magnolia. She leaves behind her beloved grandchildren: Lilla Mary Elise Jimmerson of Ruston; Maxwell Gregory Braswell of Magnolia; Caleb Charles Bateman and wife Lexi of Jonesboro, AR; Robert Austin Gunnels, Jessica Mae Gunnels, and Melissa Ann Gunnels of Magnolia. 

She is also survived by her uncle, Robert Aycock of Blacksburg, VA; her brothers, Glynn Aycock and wife Janet of Ruston; Don Aycock of Lisbon, LA; and Olen Aycock and wife Nina of Marietta, GA.  She is survived by her father-in-law, Robert Carroll Gunnels of Magnolia; her sisters-in-law, Carolyn Newcomb and husband B. G. of Laurel, MS, and Belinda Cook and husband Gerald of El Dorado, AR; and her brother-in-law, William Green and wife Barbara of Dubach, LA.  She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, Marion and Eula Aycock and her husband, David Maxwell Green.

Mrs. Gunnels was born in Minden, LA, on October 15, 1943.  She was graduate of Lisbon High School and Louisiana Tech University and was the owner of I Believe gift shop in Magnolia.  She enjoyed reading, watching women’s basketball, and spending time with her grandchildren. She was a member of Antioch East Baptist Church, where she served as a Sunday school teacher for years.  When she lived in Dubach, LA, as a young adult, she was instrumental in the youth and college ministry of Fellowship Baptist Church, and she organized mission trips to Lemmon Valley, Nevada.

She believed strongly in cancer awareness and education.  She was involved in the Steel Magnolias breast cancer support group, and she was active in Susan G. Komen for the Cure’s Race for the Cure and in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.  She served as a Reach to Recovery volunteer and visited recently diagnosed cancer patients to lend advice and support.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, August 2, at 2:00 P. M. at the First Baptist Church of Magnolia with interment to follow at Antioch East Baptist Church Cemetery under the direction of Bailey Funeral Home in Magnolia. The family is grateful for Mrs. Gunnels’ dear friends who offered unconditional love and support during her illness, helping to take her to treatments, providing meals, sending cards, and making calls. 

The family also wishes to thank Dr. Ken Davis, Debbie Grafton, and Rhonda Paladino of Life Touch Hospice.

Memorials may be made to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the American Cancer Society, Columbia Christian School of Magnolia, or Cedar Creek School of Ruston. Sign our online registry at www.baileyfuneralhome.net