Rene Hunter Kuzniar

René Michelle Hunter Kuzniar, 48, passed away on Saturday, July 2, 2016 in Charlotte, NC after complications of a courageous ten-month battle with cancer. A native of Hertford, NC, she was the daughter of Diana Spivey McDonnell Watson and her husband, J. Edward “Buddy” Watson, III of Charlotte and Wayland G. “Pete” Hunter of Hertford and his late wife, Elaine Sumner Hunter. Rene was a graduate of the Perquimans High School Class of ’85 and attended College of the Albemarle in Elizabeth City. She was a hair stylist, dental assistant, and artist.

In addition to her parents, she is survived by a sister, Jacqueline H. Harbeson, her husband, Jeff of Roanoke, VA, and their sons, Hunter, of Norfolk, VA and Jackson of Roanoke, VA; and her longtime sweetheart, Joseph H. “Joey” Tucker of Gastonia, NC. She is also survived by a step-brother, Lt. Col. Christopher Banks Watson, USMCR of Charlotte and step-sister, Martha Watson Wynne, her husband, Josh of Chesapeake, VA and their children, Reilly, Mattie, and Jonathan.

Additional survivors are her maternal aunt and uncle and god-parents, Carroll and Pat Harrell of Hertford, her paternal aunts Marie Leary and Lillie Ambrose of Elizabeth City; Ann Hunter and Helen Hunter of Hertford; and Fannie Hunter of Washington, N.C., as well as numerous cousins. She is also survived by a special “aunt,” Nancy Winslow and her husband, Waldo, of Edenton and their children, Dana Norvelle and husband Bill of Raleigh and Jonathan Winslow and wife Dixie of Charlotte and their children. Additionally she is survived by her joyfully loved feline children, Corvette and Snowball.

She is pre-deceased by her grandparents, Naomi Spivey and Henry Wilbur “Pete” Bright and Lillie Harrell and Abbott S. Hunter as well as paternal aunts and uncles, Elizabeth H. Roberson and husband Wilbur, Marvin Hunter and wife Naomi, Ray, Edward, and Jimmy Hunter and John Leary.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 16th at 4:00 p.m. at Miller & Van Essendelft Funeral Home, 1125 Harvey Point Road, Hertford, NC. Rev. Jane Leechford, pastor of Rene’s childhood church, Hertford United Methodist, will officiate.

Those desiring may make memorial contributions to The American Cancer Society or to your local SPCA.

Please share a memory with the family by signing the guestbook.

You may view the video tribute by visiting: https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/X94CF3W48P3DLZZH