Gini Louise (Baber) Gaunt

Some rare individuals leave the world a more beautiful and inspiring place. Gini (Baber) Gaunt is one of those people. She passed away in Rolla, Missouri on November 24th, 2025, young in body and spirit at the age of seventy-one. To know her was to love her and to be loved by her. She was an adoring wife, dedicated mom and GiGi, devoted sister, and faithful friend.

Gini has been married to her husband, Stephen Gaunt, since 1993. Their family includes three adult children, along with their spouses, and ten wonderful grandchildren.

Gini left an unmistakable mark on her family, her friends, and community. A founding member of Beautify St. James, she carried that intentionality into all spheres of life including, but not limited to, her positions on the boards of the St. James Caring Center and Boys and Girls Town of Missouri. She impacted countless lives through her many years as a teacher, primarily a kindergarten teacher. Many blank walls have been transformed by her paint brush, and many barren flower beds have been brought to life with her green thumb. Gini loved all people, especially children. Upon retiring from teaching, she became an acclaimed watercolor artist.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Roland R. Baber and Virginia Lee (Shockley) Baber, of Webster Groves, Missouri.

Her family will miss her dearly. They include her husband, Stephen (Steve) Gaunt; her three children: Nikki Wilson and husband, Matthew, Erin Davis and husband, Jason, Jacob Thomason and wife, Nicole Thomason. She also leaves behind grandchildren who will always remember their GiGi with deep fondness: Sydni Wilson, Eli Davis, Katen Wilson, Noble Davis, Jayla Wilson, Judah Davis, Tess Wilson, Ava Thomason, Ezra Davis, and Gage Thomason. Gini is also survived by her sister, Nora Faifer and her husband Bill Faifer; twin sister, Rhonda Jurgens and her husband, Jerry Jurgens; brother-in-law Matt Gaunt and his wife, Courtney Gaunt; sister-in-law Michelle Gaunt, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Gini loves Jesus deeply. She faithfully used her gifts to serve Him at her church, Greentree Christian Church for decades.

A celebration of Gini’s life is planned for December 6, 2025 at 2 p.m. at Greentree Christian Church, 800 Greentree Road, Rolla, MO 65401. An art showing of Gini’s paintings and reception will follow.

Instead of flowers, donations may be made to Greentree Christian Church designated for the Gini and Stephen Gaunt Memorial Fund.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

All the days of my life,

And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. —Psalm 23:6