Louise Dunn

Louise Pender Dunn, 95, formerly of Jackson, passed away Thursday, April 7, 2011, in Spartanburg, S.C.

She was born Sept. 25, 1915, on the family farm in the Fruitland-Leemon community, to Clarence E. and Maggie Davis Pender. She and Lyman H. Dunn were married Feb. 3, 1943. They had just celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary when he passed away Feb. 7, 1999.

Louise attended the former Cape Girardeau Teachers College. She had been a teacher and principal in Leemon, Fruitland, Pocahontas, and Jackson schools in her early years before retiring to raise her two sons, to which most of her life was devoted. After her sons were grown, she worked part time in her husband's dental laboratory business.

She lived 77 years on the family farm before moving to Jackson. In her later years, after Lyman's death, she moved to Spartanburg to be cared for by her son and his family.

Louise's family was instrumental in founding Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church in Fruitland, and was active in leadership during its entire existence. She was a 70-year member of the congregation, and it was the cornerstone of most of her life. She was elected the first female elder of the church, served decades as church treasurer, a position she inherited from her father, and also served as the unofficial historian of the church.

After Pleasant Hill was deactivated, she joined First Presbyterian Church of Jackson and remained a member until her death. She also was active in the community in many roles.

She is survived by two sons, Dr. Joe P. Dunn and wife Jeanette of Spartanburg, Dr. Keith A. Dunn and wife Terry of Williamsburg, Va.; three grandchildren, U.S. Navy Lt. Jarrett Pender Dunn and wife Dr. Hillary Lowe Dunn of Portsmouth, R.I., Drew Alan Dunn and wife Rebecca of Sykesville, Md., and U.S. Air Force Maj. Christina Dunn Vile and husband U.S. Air Force Maj. Casey J. Vile of Yorktown, Va.; and a great-granddaughter, Liesl Anne Vile.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church in Fruitland. Interment will be in the church cemetery.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to Pleasant Hill Cemetery Association.