Lewis Michael "Bro. Mike" Hunter

Lewis Michael "Bro. Mike" Hunter

After an extended illness, Lewis Michael "Bro. Mike" Hunter, 71, of Savannah, Tennessee, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family at home, on Thursday, February 29, 2024.  Mike was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on February 5, 1953.  He was preceded in death by his parents Lewis Hunter and Jane Burns Bunn; sisters, Mary Smelley, SaraNell Holman, Marjean Nelson, Betty Porter, Linda Hammack, Patsy Jacobs; and brothers, James Ray and Bobby Bunn.

He is survived by his loving wife and amazing caretaker, June Hunter; sisters, Carolyn Junkin and Doris Hardy; two sons, Chris Hunter (Candice) of Moundville, Alabama, and Lynn McCormick (Theresa) of Savannah, Tennessee; daughter, April Rast (Paul) of Columbus, Mississippi; grandchildren, Lyndsay Smotherman (John), Chance Craddock, Colton McCormick, Garrett Hunter, and Logan Hunter; great-grandchild, Lyla Smotherman and another granddaughter coming in April.

Mike was a plumber for many years.  Before becoming sick, Mike was a Methodist pastor in several churches in Mississippi for twelve years.  He considered himself a pastor more than a preacher, because his calling was visiting people in nursing homes, hospitals, and shut-ins.  He would often hop in his car and drive around all day to visit people, sometimes driving hours just to see one person.  He would even go back to communities where he had lived and continue to visit his shut-ins.  People knew they could count on Bro. Mike if they needed something.  When he was not visiting people, he would volunteer at food banks and offer help in other ways in the communities he lived in.

Mike loved to watch sports, but his favorite to watch was the Alabama Crimson Tide! Since Mike was born and grew up in Tuscaloosa, he was one of their biggest fans.  The only thing that made watching their games better was when he got to watch them with his son, Chris, who is also a big fan.  He was also an avid collector of ball cards and any sports memorabilia.  He even got to meet Jerry Rice one time and got signed jerseys, footballs, and helmets.  That was a very happy day for Mike, and he often showed off his picture with Jerry to prove he had really met him.

He loved spending time with his family and adored his grandchildren and his great-grandchild.  Lewy-Body Dementia is an awful disease that took a toll on his body and mind, but there were still some smiles, from time-to-time, especially when Lyla would lay in bed with him and say, "Hey, PaPaw!".

Mike loved life.  He loved chocolate dipped cones from Dairy Queen and could never have just one.  He was a wonderful cook and had to have the exact ingredients, or he would run to the store, even if the nearest store was 20 minutes away.  He loved to feed his family! He had a way of fixing a sandwich that tasted so much better than if you fixed it yourself.  He enjoyed playing dominoes with his friends, and he loved reading his Bible and studying God's word.

Mike was under hospice care for two years, and the family would like to thank Aseracare Hospice and Unity Hospice for their care and support.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.