Mattie Marie Gunnells

Mattie Marie Foster Gunnells was born in Morrilton, Arkansas, on March 10, 1940.  to Elroy Woodie Foster and Addie Mae Webb Foster.  Mattie was the second of 11 children. She attended high school in Menifee, Arkansas.  She met the love of her life, J.T. Gunnells, through her brother Oscar in Morrilton, Arkansas. Oscar and J.T. were best friends. On June 14, 1958, Mattie Marie Foster and J.T. Gunnells pledged their love to one another, beginning their journey as husband and wife.  Shortly afterwards, they moved to Kansas City and started their lives together.  Their union bore two children. Their first child, Sharon Genice was born November 10, 1958.  Their second child, Gwendolyn Diane, was born March 5, 1960.  

Mattie and J.T. both had long careers at AT&T; J.T. had 32.5 years of service before retiring; Mattie had 26 years of service after retiring.  Mattie continued her education at Longview Community College where she received her Associates degree in Supervision.  They built a successful real estate business together.  Mattie and J.T. were married for 54 years before he passed away on August 24, 2012. 

As of today, she has 5 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.  Sharon's children are Daytheon Allen Jeffries (Monique Dillard) and Edward Randolph Moore (Keandrea Carter Moore).  Edward and Keandrea have one child, Chelsea Elise Moore.  Gwendolyn's children are JaKela D'na Walker (Sherwood Tyshun Walker), Jeremy Markele Parker (deceased), and Jelon Sterling Parker.  Jeremy and his former wife had four children:  Amijah Lia Parker, Amirra Dianna Parker, Alaya Jakya Parker, and Alexa Markele Parker.  Jelon has one child, Jaeda Kiersten Wiemelt Parker.