Mabel Bunting Dunn passed away peacefully at her home October 16, 2019. She was born July 22, 1923 in Edgecombe County to parents, Clarence and Maybelle Bunting of Conetoe. She graduated from South Edgecombe High School, married and moved to Pinetops, where she lived a full and happy life with the family she adored.
Mabel was a member of Pinetops United Methodist Church where she attended services regularly until her health declined. She was the oldest living member of the congregation.
For many years she contributed her time and talent to the work of the Ladies’ Guild and the Susannah Wesley Circle.
Her love for reading, affection for her small town and the friends she enjoyed in her community led her and a few other ladies to form The Pinetops Junior Book Club in 1950, where she remained an active member until it disbanded in 2000.
Mabel was quite adept at all kinds of needlework. Her children and grandchildren were frequent recipients of beautifully crocheted afghans, knitted sweaters and needlepoint pillows. They will continue to cherish these gifts and remember the hands that worked for hours to complete them, for each one was truly a labor of love.
Anyone who knew Mabel recognized her passion for glass-bottled Coca-Colas, usually drinking four per day throughout her 96 years. She was very popular with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren at the family Christmas celebrations, providing cokes straight from the freezer, with just the right amount of ice. No one else can duplicate her recipe for frozen Coca-Colas!
Loyal and devoted to her family, Mabel was a homemaker, keeping a watchful eye on her children. There were brief stints of work at the Piggly Wiggly in Pinetops, but home and family were always her greatest joy.
In addition to her parents, Mabel was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Francis Marshall Dunn, Sr.; her beloved daughter, Dean Dunn Carlton in 2018; and her sister, Lillie Bunting Jones of Portsmouth, Virginia. She is survived by her loving son, Marshall Dunn and wife Judy and son-in-law, Phil Carlton of Pinetops; Grandchildren Deanna Carlton Drescher (John) and Elizabeth Carlton Trathen (Marcus), of Raleigh; Marshall Scott Dunn (Rhonda) of Rocky Mount and Noelle Dunn Dismukes (Tim) of Greenville; and 11 Great-grandchildren. Survivors also include brothers, C.B. Bunting II (Sue) and Douglas Bunting (Jean), and many dear nieces and nephews. Faithful Caregivers and Hospice workers became “family” to Mabel and will be remembered for their love and service.
A graveside service at Pineview Cemetery in Pinetops will be held at 11:00am Saturday, October 19, 2019. Visitation will be at Pinetops United Methodist Church Friday, October 18, 2019 from 6:30-8:00pm and other times at the home of Marshall Dunn. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Pinetops United Methodist Church, 111 N 3rd St, Pinetops, NC 27864.
Arrangements are entrusted to Carlisle Funeral Home. Online condolences may be directed to the family by visiting www.carlislefuneralhome.com.
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