Royce F. Hunter

ROYCE F. HUNTER

Smyrna, TN: Royce Freeman Hunter, age 91, passed away February 3, 2025, at his home.

He was born July 12, 1933, in Chester County, in the Old Friendship community, the son of the late Roy and Georgie Elizabeth Freeman Hunter. He graduated from Chester County High School in 1951 and graduated from Freed-Hardeman College and after serving in the Army he graduated from Memphis State. 

He served in the U.S. Army from 1954 until 1956, serving in Tokyo, Japan, after the service and after receiving his degree at Memphis, he moved to the Dallas area and started to work for Sentry Insurance. He worked in claims and then in sales for thirteen years, working for Sentry a total of thirty years, retiring in 1989 at the age of 55.

Royce moved to Amarillo, TX where he met and married Nila June Pendegraft in 1962. They made their home in Lubbock, TX for 55 years, where they raised their two girls.

He enjoyed playing tennis, gardening and spending time with his family and friends. He was actively playing tennis at the age of 85. 

He was a long-time member of Broadway and Sunset Church of Christ in Lubbock and was currently attending Highland Heights Church of Christ in Smyrna.

Mr. Hunter is survived by two daughters, Merle Lynn (Missy) Hunter and Lisa Schaeper and husband Steve of Bulverde, TX; two grandchildren, Nathan Schaeper and Justin Schaeper (Mariah); a great grandson, Ben Schaeper; and a sister, Linda Lyles (Don) of Tallahassee, FL.

He was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Nila June Pendergraft Hunter. 

Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Saturday, Feb. 8th at Shackelford Funeral Directors – Crook Avenue with Hunter Callis and Billy Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Chester County Memory Gardens.

The family will receive friends at Crook Avenue on Saturday from 9:30 AM until 11:00 AM service time.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Freed Hardeman University, Estes Church of Christ, and / or Henderson Church of Christ.

Shackelford Funeral Directors of Henderson

731-989-2421