Mary Lou Bunten, 86, Elizabethton, went home to be with her Lord Monday, April 13, 2026 in the Sycamore Shoals Hospital. She was born September 16, 1939 in Roan Mountain to the late Sherman J. & Ruth Winters Vance. She worked at Piccadilly Restaurant and Kids World. She loved her family and her church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband: Bill Bunten, two children: Gilbert Bunten and Becky Bunten and five brothers and five sisters. Mary was a member of East Side Free Will Baptist Church.

Survivors include her children: Geneva (Jack) Hoss, Margie (Jeff) Nelson, Bill (Donna) Bunten and Brad (Jennie) Bunten. Several Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren and Great Great Grandchildren. One Brother: Rev. Johnny (Maxine) Vance. Several nieces and nephews including a special niece Yvonne Glay.

A Service to Celebrate the Life of Mary will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 19, 2026 in Memorial Funeral Chapel with Pastor Justin Deaton and Pastor Brandon Hill officiating. Interment will follow in the Richardson Cemetery, Morgan Branch, Roan Mountain. Active Pallbearers will be: Jason Thompson, Nick McNeal, Jeffery Nelson, Brian Pierce, Bryceon Pierce, Brodyn Pierce, Kenneth Higgins and Gerod Bunten. Honorary Pallbearers will be her church family. The family would like to express a special thank you to the 2nd floor nursing staff and Dr. Groen at Sycamore Shoals Hospital. The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home prior to the service. Condolences may be sent to the family at our web-site www.memorialfcelizabethton.com.

Memorial Funeral Chapel is serving the Bunten family.