Leighton Gunnells

Leighton Arthur Gunnells, 85, of Barnwell, SC passed away on Monday, June 16, 2025. Funeral services will be held at eleven o’clock a.m., Thursday, June 19, 2025 at Green Branch Pentecostal Holiness Church with the Reverends Brandon Hutson and Timmy Gunnells officiating; burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from six to eight p.m., Wednesday, June 18th at Green Branch Pentecostal Holiness Church. Memorial contributions may be given in Mr. Leighton’s memory to Green Branch Pentecostal Holiness Church, 220 Green Branch Rd., Barnwell, SC 29812.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to a special niece and nephew, Joany and Eric Cooper and his caregiver, Karen Arnold for all of the love, care, and compassion that they have shown Mr. Leighton during his time of illness.

Born in Barnwell County, SC, he was a son of the late John Freddie Gunnells, Sr. and Annie Mae Fail Gunnells. He was married to his loving wife of 67 years, Sue Elaine Sanders Gunnells. He was known as the Watermelon King having been a self-employed farmer, farming watermelons, cantaloupes and livestock and was a former member of the FFA. He was a member of Green Branch Pentecostal Holiness Church where he served as a deacon for over 30 years. He enjoyed Friday nights listening to Warhorse Football on the radio and loved going to the Livestock Market Sales. His family, children, grandchildren and his great grandchildren were his pride and joy.

Survivors include his wife, Sue Gunnells; daughters, Brenda (James Barry) Blankenship, Connie G. Sanders; sons, Reverend Timmy (Teresa) Gunnells and Andy (Eileen) Gunnells all of Barnwell, SC; a brother Olin (Betty) Gunnells of Olar, SC; grandchildren, Garon (Laura) Blankenship, Evan (Tori) Blankenship, Heather Sanders, Brent (Brittany) Sanders, Kenneth (Jennifer) Gunnells, Robbie (Katy) Gunnells, Anthony (Victoria) Gunnells, Brandon (Danielle) Hutson and Brittany (James) Owens; 20 great grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his sisters, Helen Miller and Margaret Still; brothers, John Freddie Gunnells, Jr., Roosevelt Gunnells and Frank Gunnells and a son-in-law, Everette Sanders.

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