Eugene Lavanue Hunter

Eugene Lavanue Hunter, 74, of Poplar Bluff died Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2009 at his residence.
Mr. Hunter was born Feb. 19, 1935 in the Morocco community of Butler County to Joe and Odell Hunter. He was a member of St. John Missionary Baptist Church, and had retired 1984 as a fuel truck driver for Missouri Pacific Railroad. Mr. Hunter had also farmed for many years; owned and operated H & H Bush Hogging Co.; and served as President of the Singing Confederation having resigned because of illness. As a founding member as well as one of the oldest members he was later elected as ""FATHER"" of the Singing Confederation. He enjoyed spending time with his family, working and helping people in need.
In 1954 he married Lois Washington who preceded him in death. A very special companion, Mry Gladney also peceded him in death. In 1996 he married Rosie Dye who survives.
Other survivors include 13 daughters: Annette Smith, Cynthia Hunter, and Kim Hunter all of Detroit, Mich., Carol Owens of Caruthersville, Deniene C. Washington, Judy Griffin, Deloris Wady, Kenyetta Davis and Joann Dawson all of South Bend, Ind., Michelle Raulston of Springfield, and Marsha Gladney, Tammy Dye and Lavanue Lynn Hunter-Dixon, of Poplar Bluff; 10 sons: Dennis Hunter, Jerrell Grant, Sam Hunter, Delonge Hunter, all of Detroit, Lee Gladney and Mark Gladney of Montgomery Village, Maryland, Jim Gladney of Kansas City, Walter Gladney of St. Louis and Joey Dye and Jamar Dye of Poplar Bluff; 2 adopted daughters, April Martin of Columbia and Christina Aguilar of Poplar Bluff; an adopted son, Garvin Carter of Poplar Bluff; 40+ grandchildren, 40+ great-grandchildren and 10+ great-great-grandchildren; 2 sisters: Ethel Gray of Philadelphia, Pa. and Katherine Slater of Phoenix, Ill.; a brother, The Rev. Charles R. Hunter of Gallipolis, Ohio; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Visitation will begin at 12 noon Tuesday, Nov. 17th at Wheatley School in the 900 block of Garfield St., in Poplar Bluff. The funeral service will follow at 1 p.m. at the school with the Rev. Leroy Williams, the Rev. Keith Frye and the Rev. John McCain officiating. Burial will be at Morocco Cemetery in Butler County.