Jerry Gunby

Jerry E. Gunby was known by many as “Bill Hammer”, “Mutt”, “Drill”, “Unc”, cousin, and most ardently by his beloved children and grandchildren as “Daddy”, “Granddaddy”, and “Grandpa”.  He was born November 4, 1938 in Lincolnton, Georgia. He was the son of Sim and Doris (Freeman) Gunby who preceded him in death.

At a young age he gave his life to the Lord and became a member of First Baptist Church in Lincolnton, Georgia. He attended Lincoln County Training School. On September 1, 1961, he married the love of his life Mattie Mae (Tutt) Gunby and of their union had four daughters.

Whether you called him Jerry, Mutt, or Bill Hammer, he was the same caring, blunt, tell it like it is, jokester who was guaranteed to make you laugh. He loved his family and his community dearly. He fought for the freedoms for people of color along with others during the Civil Rights Movement. He was wholistic in his approach in helping the people in his community. He was the president of the Twilight Improvement Association, an active member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and was active in registering people to vote.

Throughout his life, he was an avid worker who always protected and provided for his family. He mostly worked as a welder and mechanic. He worked (to name a few) at Milliken Mill, Graves Mountain, Plant Vogtle, and Aycock Chip Mill. He was also known as “Lieutenant” Jerry Gunby while serving as supervisor of the Community Service Program of the Probate/Magistrate Courts of Lincoln County.

He was proud to carry the Gunby name and legacy that began with his father and his brothers.

He loved to talk and would sit around and debate on various topics nonstop, but somewhere in the conversation you would hear a story about how “The Gunby’s” did such and such. When it came to rules and leniency, Mr. Jerry was not the one. When it came to his children and family, he had no problem keeping us aware of our actions such as wearing short shorts or sitting a certain way.

He wholeheartedly loved his family. His parents and siblings preceded him in death and we are left to cherish their memories: Norris W. Gunby, Sr., Doris V. Gunby Zellars, Sim Gunby Jr., Jessie Gunby, Georgia Gunby Benjamin, Charlie (Bud) Gunby, Spurgeon Gunby, Phillip Gunby, John Newt Gunby, Earl Gunby, Lennie Alma Gunby, and Myrtis Murray.

He leaves to mourn his memories: his faithful and devoted wife of 61 years Mattie Mae (Tutt) Gunby, daughters: Lisa (Hanky) Wright, Angela Gunby Elam, Tesa Gunby, Brigitte Gunby, son: Christopher (Laura) Gunby. His grandchildren: Ashley Elam, Brittany Wright, Amber Wright, Madison Gunby, Camden Gunby, and Laila Gunby; great-grandson Knox Avery Elam; sister Theresa Norman; brother, James (Anne) Gunby; sisters-in-law Patsy Tutt Zellars and Katie Gunby; brother-in-law Marion Tutt, along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and dearly beloved friends.

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