Mrs. Louise Dunson

The Lord decided it was time for Mrs. Louise Dunson to take her rightful rest on September 15, 2017. The precise hour of 4:25 AM will forever mark the moment her great light became a shining star amongst the brightest of stars that fill Heaven’s sky. She walked on this earth for 3,029,467,392 seconds, 50,491,123.2 minutes, 841,518.72 hours, 35,063.28 days, 5,009.4 weeks, 1,152 months, and an awe-inspiring ninety-six, blessed years.

“The Kid”

Mrs. Louise (Davis) Dunson was born on the 16th day of March in the year of 1921 to her mother, Era Ansley, and father Johnnie Davis. She was born in the rural city of Doerun, located n Worth County, Georgia. She was the fifth of seven children and was preceded in death by her three brothers, Herschel, Earnest and Johnnie, and three sisters, Ethel Glaze, Nazareth Smith and Vernice Thompson. Her desire to serve God began at an early age when she joined the Primitive Baptist Church. She loved the music, rhythmic prayers and electric service so much, that many years later, she continued to visit a local church and reminisce on the time spent in the pews during her childhood. Now, just because she loved God didn’t mean she was ready to turn the other cheek EVERY time, in EVERY situation. The story goes that she wouldn’t back away from a fight either. If you were wondering where “Billie” originated, it’s been said that under the right circum - stances, “Billie” (the kid) would engage in a sparring match if the situation called for it. According to her siblings, when they had to pick cotton, she was known for being the hardest working person in the fields. She would pick the most cotton, out-picking all of her siblings. She graduated from Moultrie High School and subsequently moved to Atlanta, GA with her sister Ethel. Wife. Mother. Grandmother. Friend. Activist. In 1943, she met and married her husband of 60 years, Mr. Joseph Paul Dunson, who preceded her in death. They were blessed with six children - Earl, Ronald, Saundra, Katherine, Sherrie, Jo - seph and a bonus daughter, Sherrenise. While her children were young, she worked as a housewife, dedicating all of her time, attention and talents to attend to the needs of her family. Once her youngest child was of age, she began taking night classes in order to use her gifts outside of the home. In the early 1960’s she earned her nursing degree (LPN), and added another dimension to her legacy of service. After receiving her degree, she began working in a personal care home, providing care for elderly patients. She went on to work for Hughes Spalding Hospital/Grady Hospital, where she retired after more than 20 years of service. After her retirement, she remained a caregiver for ailing family members and great-grandchildren. She would also prepare meals to help feed families who were less fortunate, as well as served food to homeless people located in her community. She was known to help anyone in need - be it financial, a listening ear, a cake for a bake sale or prayer. If she had it to give, it was given to a person she felt needed it more. She enjoyed cooking family dinners and having all of her family fill up every inch of their family home. There are still some of her recipes that her children have yet to perfect. She was a master seamstress! She would see a pretty dress in the store, fire up her sewing machine, and make it from scratch even prettier! She enjoyed watching boxing matches and Bible stories, attending Braves games and snacking on Butterfingers and Reese’s Cups. She wrote the most beautiful poems and Easter speeches for her grandchildren. She also enjoyed spending time with old friends and making new ones at the Bethlehem Senior Center. Even when she moved out of the neighborhood, she returned twice a week to spend time amongst friends. The community of Pittsburgh in Southwest Atlanta misses the love that only she could give. Whether it was a funny story or a message from God she always had the perfect words to brighten any state of affairs. Servant of God In 1955, she accepted the Third Angels Message after receiving Bible studies from her sister Ethel. She joined the Berean Seventh Day Adventist Church, where she was a faithful member. She later transferred her membership to the College Park Seventh Day Adventist Church, which later became Mount Olive Seventh Day Adventist Church. She served on the Deaconess Board, was a member of the Golden SONsetters and assisted with community service initiatives. Her favorite text was John 14: 1 - 3 “Let not your heart be troubled...” and she repeated it often. She was truly a Mother of the church. She always had a smile on her face, even when she was correcting your choice of church attire. When she came to church, she did not disappoint. She took pride in her appearance and loved to wear beautiful suits with heels and little scarves. If you’re going to dress up for anyone, you should definitely dress up for Jesus. And that she did! On this earthly journey she has been a blessing to the lives of all that crossed her path. She was honored by an entire community that saw fit to deem her the Queen of Pittsburgh in 2006. She took part in the community parade as the guest of honor! She dressed in a flowing white gown. Her daughters placed a tiara on her head. She sat inside of a convertible car and was driven down the street in style. Family and friends cheered and waved as she made her way to the final destination where she would receive her special recognition. She gleefully accepted this honor, smiled and waved to all that knew her. And so may it be when Jesus returns to give her her heavenly reward. We can envision her, dressed in a beautiful white flowing gown, being chauffeured by angels - to receive the special recognition she so rightly deserves. Family and friends will stand on the streets of gold, waving and cheering as God places the Robe of Righteousness on his humble servant. She lived. She loved. She served. She will truly be missed. 

It has been an honor for us all to have had you as a mother, grandmother, aunt, friend, servant...We love you forever and always grandma! She was preceded in death by her husband Jeff and daughter Sherrie Fowler. She is survived by six children, Earl and Joyce Dunson of Atlanta, GA (Erin McGowan, Erroll Dunson and Earlando Dunson), Ronald and Gwendolyn Dunson of Somers, CT (Idette Thompson, Cyndee Edwards, Nicole McCallister), Saundra Dunson Franks of Atlanta, GA (Walter Franks, III and Tanzia Franks), Roger and Katherine Brittian of College Park, GA (Reginald Dunson, Katreena Gilmore and Brian Jones, II), Joseph Dunson, Sherrenise Proctor (Devon Proctor, Keishaun Proctor), the children of Sherrie Dunson Fowler(Renee Fowler, Joy Fowler, Dawn Fowler), sixteen great grandchildren and a host of “children” who called her Mom.

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