Emma Vada Hatcher Gunter Levesque

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Emma 'Vada'
(Hatcher) Gunter Levesque, on Christmas morning 2012, in Spruce Pine,
NC, due to complications from Alzheimer's Disease.

Vada was born November 22, 1926 in Beaver, WV to Viola Wood Hatcher
and Jesse Green Hatcher. She spent several years in Beaver with her
mom, brother Ray and sister Fern. She graduated from Shady Spring High
School and soon after married Clyde Hampton Gunter in 1945. They had 4
children together, Patty, Gary, Linda and Kathy. Patty tragically died
when she was 2 years old, and Clyde, who worked for the railroad, was
involved in a fatal accident in 1955, 5 months prior to Kathy's birth.
Vada, who had been a homemaker, was now a single mother to 3 children.
With the help of both families and her cousin Marilyn Wood caring for the children,
mom decided to move to Hollywood, FL. After spending a year in Florida she made
a decision to move back to WV. Mom began an educational
journey that would lead to a fulfilling career in Elementary
Education. She graduated from Concord College in Athens,WV in 1961,
Following graduation, she packed up the 3 kids and moved to Longwood, FL.
She began teaching at Altamonte Elementary School, where
she would stay for her entire teaching career. During these years in Longwood,
she was introduced to, by a mutual friend and co worker, a recent
widower named Roger Levesque, who had 2 children, Ellen and Allan.
They had a whirlwind romance and married in July 1967, merging the two
families, and moving to College Park. Only 3 children were at home, as
Gary and Linda had just recently gotten married. During these next
years, Mom commuted to Altamonte Springs to teach, and in 1979, she
obtained her Masters Degree from Rollins College and became the Vice
Principal at her beloved Altamonte Elementary School. She thoroughly
enjoyed this career move and remained in this position until she
retired in 1988. After the 3 kids graduated from Edgewater High
School, Vada and Roger moved to Altamonte Springs to be closer to her
school. They stayed there until January 1980, when they moved into
their 'retirement home' in Longwood, FL. But tragedy struck Vada's
life again, when after only 8 months in their new home, Roger was
diagnosed with cancer and died in November. After Roger's passing,
Vada and many of her Altamonte school friends traveled to Europe,
where she especially enjoyed the British Isles. She also spent many
happy travels with her sister-in law, Laura Hatcher, to Europe, Hawaii
and more often, to the sandy beaches of Florida, relaxing and
collecting shells.

Mom continued to live in Longwood until she began experiencing the
devastating symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. She spent the last 4 years
living with her daughter, Linda, in NC, where she was happy, content
and well cared for. Mom had a wonderful and full life, and was dearly
loved by her family and many friends.

Vada was preceded in death by her parents, brother Ray and his wife
Laura, sister Fern and her husband Jimmy Hill, husbands Clyde Gunter
and Roger Levesque, daughters Patty and Kathy, and grandson, Gary Gene
Gunter, ll.

She is survived by son Gary (wife Nancy), granddaughter Virginia
Woodmansee (husband James), great granddaughters Campbell and
Ainsleigh, great grandson, Gary Gene Gunter, III; daughter Linda Foster, grandson Tim Thompson (wife Suzanne),
great grandchildren Ashley, Tommy and Cailin; stepson Allan Levesque
(wife Liz), grandsons Allan Jr, Stephen, James (wife April), Ben (wife Nikki), great grandsons Sage and Boden; stepdaughter
Ellen Woltman (husband Ron), grandchildren Bradley and Allison; her sister-in-laws Sarah Moye and Margie Gunter plus
many wonderful neices, nephews & cousins.
Vada's greatest joys were her children, grandchildren and great
grandchildren. Mom always said she loved it when all the kids were
together, as there was plenty of laughter and fun. It was pure joy for
her to sit back and watch the warmth and love amongst her 'blended
family'.
Visitation will be Saturday, March 23rd at 1pm at Calfee Funeral Home 800 South Oakwood Ave in Beckley with a celebration of life service to follow at 2 pm with Pastor Jack Thomas officiating.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association
West Virginia Chapter, 1601 2nd Ave., Charleston, W.V. 25387

Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley.