Nancy Louise Gunter Stoutamyer

Nancy Louise Gunter Stoutamyer, (85), of Pineville, WV, passed away June 23, 2024.
Born in Wyoming, WV, April 20, 1939, she grew up in coal camps and forged fond memories of life in the mountains with family and friends. Precocious and brilliant, she started school at three years old and loved learning and leading others from that day forward.
She attended Concord where she made even more friends and met the love of her life, Raymond Stoutamyer. She sustained an intramural basketball injury and he rushed from the stands and said, “Let me have a look at that leg.” They spent the next 65 years together.
She graduated with a bachelor’s in education and later earned a master’s in physical education from Marshall. She loved to teach P.E. and share her love of sports, especially dancing. Louise really knew how to “cut a rug,” and her dance card was always full.
She taught English at Pineville Middle and made an impact on generations. The corner of her classroom had a revolving metal bookrack, fake fireplace and reading nook to inspire students. She treated students with respect and set high expectations because she wanted so much for them. She believed literature was their window to the larger world, and they loved and respected her.
She also golfed occasionally and travelled often with Pody, Daisy and Richard. They visited several states, played many pranks and had plenty of great stories about their trips.
Louise brought enormous grace to the world and people were drawn to her in an indescribable way. Years after teaching, she continued to have an impact on her caregivers at the Hidenwood, who loved her sense of humor and kindness.
She was an incredible mother to Rick and Chris Ann. She taught them to be creative, curious, independent, competitive, honest, kind, funny, mischievous and empathetic. She imparted her love of reading and writing, and the closeness of family. She gladly spoiled her three granddaughters and fostered wonderful relationships with every niece, nephew and cousin.
Louise is survived by her daughter Chris Ann (Eddie) and their daughters Katherine and Emily; her daughter-in-law Kim Stoutamyer and her daughter Kelsie; and her brother Bob Gunter (Sandra) and their son Robert and family. Louise was predeceased by her sisters Daisy and Betty, her son Richard and her husband “Pody.”
The family will celebrate Louise’s life Saturday, August 17th, at the Casteel Event Center, 129 Main Avenue in Pineville, WV. Please drop by any time between 1:30-4 PM to share your favorite memories.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Stoutamyer Scholarship. Created in 2023 in memory of Pody, the fund awarded its first $2,000 scholarship to a Wyoming East student this year. Now, in memory of Louise, the Stoutamyers can continue their legacy of Education in Pineville. Donations may be made to Beckley Area Foundation referencing Stoutamyer Scholarship in the memo line, and mailed to 1210 South Kanawha Street, Beckley, WV 25801; or online at https://www.bafwv.org/donate-now.html referencing Stoutamyer.