Patricia Faye Gunnels

"Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised." (Proverbs 31:30)

Patricia Gunnels, 83, entered her heavenly home, the joy of her reward on Saturday, September 23, 2023. A service celebrating her earthly life will be held at 1:00pm Friday, September 29, 2023 at Walters Funeral Home, 610 S. Commerce St., Centerville, Texas. Bro. Jim Bob Gunnels and Bro. Bo Gunnels will officiate the service. Interment will follow in the Ivie Cemetery near Kennard, Texas. The Gunnels family will receive friends Thursday, September 28th from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at Walters Funeral Home.

Patricia (Arnold) Gunnels was born April 7, 1940; the third of five children born to parents, Johnnie and Bertha (Comer) Arnold. On November 26, 1957 she married James Robert Gunnels, her husband of sixty-three years and nine months. Patricia, or "Sister Pat," was perhaps best known for her love of the scriptures and the gift of teaching both children and women. She served as program chairperson, then president of the Trinity River WMA for a number of years where the Lord blessed her work in many ways.

She and her husband were blessed with five children, whom she brought up in the ways of the Lord. She sought the salvation of her children and grandchildren. Then, as she was passing from this life, her heart's desire turned toward the salvation of great-grandchildren and the future generations of her family.

She looked well to the ways of her household and was definitely not an idle woman. She made clothes for her family, gifts for newlyweds, newborns, and Christmas. She loved cake decorating, often decorating cakes for wedding gifts, birthdays, and special occasions. She loved campfires and s'mores, flowers and gardens, cooking, and home decor. The joy of the Lord truly was and will ever be her strength!

Patricia was preceded in death by both of her parents, Bertha and Johnnie Arnold; devoted husband of sixty-three years, Bro. James Gunnels; sister Joyce (Arnold) Miller; and brother, Don Arnold.

Surviving family members include son, James Gunnels, Jr. and wife, Mary of Centerville, TX; daughter, Teresa (Gunnels) Buchanan and husband, Michael of Rowlett, TX; son, John Gunnels and wife, Olga of Fulshear, TX; son, Joel Gunnels and wife, Sheila of Waco, TX and daughter, Rebecca (Gunnels) Brewer and husband, Wade of Buffalo, TX. She is also survived by brother, Jerry Arnold and wife, Bonnie of Crockett; brother, Johnny Lynn Arnold and wife, Sue of LaPorte; as well as fourteen grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and very close extended family.

In lieu of flowers the family has requested that donations be made to Victory Baptist Church, PO Box 892, Centerville, Texas 75833.

Final arrangements are under the direction of Walters Funeral Home, Centerville, Texas.