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Megan Broome/The Clayton Tribune. Thomas Slowen, left, Carol Cain, dressed as Rosie the Riveter, and Anthony Worley congratulate Korean War Army Veteran Lloyd Hunter, as he is honored at the Veterans Appreciation Dinner held at the Rabun County Civic Center Nov. 11, 2021. Hunter is 93 years old and has owned Hunter Funeral Home since 1969. He is part of American Legion Post 220. He also worked in the Coroner’s Office for 52 years.
Lloyd Hunter is remembered by community members as a true public servant who was compassionate and helped anyone he could.
Those who knew him well referred to him as a “pillar of the community” and a dependable, hard-working man.
William Lloyd Hunter, 93, died on Wednesday, March 23 at his home on Warwoman Rd.
He was born on Aug. 14, 1928, in Tiger, Ga. and was the son of the late Robert Edgar Hunter and Bessie Cora Carnes Hunter.
“He was a great man,” said Anthony Worley. “He was a great man to work with. A great asset to the community who helped many people. An icon of Rabun County.”
Tammy Whitmire remembers Hunter as someone who was always kind and helpful toward everyone.
“Lloyd Hunter was always friendly and kind. A very humble man and a true servant at heart,” Whitmire said.
A devout Christian
Hunter was a devout Christian and a long-standing member of Clayton Baptist Church, where he served as a Deacon and Elder.
Joey Thompson, pastor of Clayton Baptist Church, said Hunter also taught Sunday school. Thompson described him as a Godly man who loved and shared God’s word.
“He made a big impression in church,” Thompson said. Hunter often spoke about Bible prophecy and the Holy Spirit.
He said Hunter’s favorite Bible verse was Romans 8:28: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.”
Thompson said Hunter would often greet people and point his finger towards Heaven and say three words, “And we know.”
Hunter had a caring and compassionate soul and was always ready to talk with people in need, or who were going through a tough time, and pray with them and for them.
“He had a heart for reaching hurt, troubled people,” Thompson said. He said Hunter was very uplifting and if anyone was going through a hard time, he would always be quick to remind them that God was using those challenges for a greater purpose. Any challenges Hunter faced, “he chose to face them with a smile,” Thompson said.
“I’m blessed to have known him,” Thompson said.
Hunter was also a member of The Gideons International.
A hard working, genuine person
Hunter was a United States Army veteran and was a member of the VFW Post 4570 and American Legion Post 220, where he was post president. He was also a member of Masonic Lodge No. 265.
“He was a wonderful man,” said Carl Green, current post commander for American Legion Post 220. “He has helped a lot of people in Rabun County and he will be missed very much. He’s been extra good to us and I know he’s done other people the same way,” Green said.
Vaughn Rogers, member of Masonic Lodge No. 265, said Hunter was a good guy and fantastic person who was very involved, especially with masonic funerals.
“He was very active in the American Legion,” said Alton Story, relative and friend of Hunter. Story said Hunter was a “very patriotic person” and a “very gentle person.” He added that Hunter had an excellent memory and loved history.
Thompson recalled Hunter as a great historian who was always teaching others.
Hunter served his community as owner and director of Hunter Funeral Home for over 65 years. He was a member of the Georgia Funeral Directors Association for years and also a member of the National Funeral Directors Association for over 50 years.
“He did so much for the community,” said family member and friend Rick Story. “A true public servant.”
Story admired how hardworking and dedicated Hunter was to helping the community. He said Hunter was someone who gave back to the community in so many positive ways and was always humble.
“Everyone in the family depended on him,” Story said. He said Hunter always had stories to tell to make people laugh and he was always positive, never in a bad mood.
“Didn’t have a mean or vindictive bone in his body,” Thompson remembered. He said Hunter was madly in love with his wife of over 65 years, Helen, and the two would always be seen together laughing and smiling.
Longest serving elected official in Georgia
Hunter was elected Coroner of Rabun County for 13 consecutive terms, and served that office for 52 years. He holds the record as the longest consecutively serving elected official in the state of Georgia.
Don Page remembers working with Hunter for a number of years while he was coroner.
“He was a very professional, caring person,” Page said. He said when Hunter was called to scenes, he was very understanding and compassionate towards family members.
“He did a lot for the community,” Page said about Hunter as both the coroner and funeral home director. “He will be missed.”
Visitation was held as Battle Branch Baptist Church on March 27, followed by funeral services with Pastor James E. Turpen, Chaplin John Reeser and Rev. Kenneth Franklin officiating. The graveside service was at Clayton Cemetery with full military honors, conducted by Rabun and Habersham DAV.
Worley said Hunter Funeral Home is still open and will continue honoring Lloyd Hunter’s legacy with every family they help.
See the full obituary on page A8 of this week’s edition of The Clayton Tribune.