Martha Lois Dunaway

Ohatchee – A homecoming celebration for Martha Lois Dunaway will be Tuesday, October 2 2012 at 7 p.m. at Chapel Hill Funeral Home with Rev. Doug Matthews officiating. Visitation will be two hours prior to the service on Tuesday. Graveside service will be Wednesday, October 3, 2012 at 1 p.m. at Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Ohatchee, Al.

Mrs. Dunaway, 78, passed away on Saturday, September 29, 2012 after her valiant fight with Parkinson’s disease. She departed this world surrounded by her family at her daughter’s home in Pell City, Al. Her strong will, unwavering faith in God, and the love of family, friends, and caregivers eased her path.

Martha was born on March 23, 1934 in Coal City, Al. She was the youngest child of Charles and Emma Mitchell.

She met her lifetime love, Dave, and they married November 8, 1952. Their lifetime love and union produced ten children, who called her “Momma” but she will always be fondly remembered as Dave’s “Mark”. They lived in Ohatchee for 42 years until declining health in October 2011.

Mrs. Dunaway is survived by her husband, David Dunaway Sr.; daughters, Joan Dunaway Rodiles (Tommy) , Patricia D. Northcutt (Bill) and Holly Dunaway Brown (Kenny) ; sons, David K. Dunaway Jr., (Neresa) Keith Dunaway (Pansy) Jerry Dunaway, Chuck Dunaway (Terri) son-in-law Kevin Bridges and daughter-in-law Rene Dunaway; twenty-six grandchildren; and seventeen great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Mark Northcutt, Chris Northcutt, Sean Dunaway, Joshua Dunaway, Brendon Brown, Michael Gonzales, Brandon Dunaway, and Dwight Freeman. Honorary pallbearers will be Jeremiah Dunaway, John David Dunaway, Tyrel Dunaway, Ethan Dunaway, Steven Dunaway, Bryan Bridges, Brett Lloyd, Hunter Lloyd, and Mason Dunaway.

Mrs. Dunaway is preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Emma Mitchell; daughter, Melissa Bridges; sons, Gary and Terry Dunaway; granddaughter, Martha Dunaway.

Mrs. Dunaway had a true servant’s heart, faithfully caring for her family and friends through her skill in the kitchen, crocheting, and her “green thumb” ability to grow beautiful flowers. She was a longtime sports fan of Alabama “Roll Tide” and the Atlanta Braves. She answered to many titles: daughter, sister, aunt, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. Yet, it was her love for her family especially “her babies” that makes her the heart of the Dunaway family.

A special thanks to Dr. Tamara McIntosh and staff, Alacare Home Health and Hospice, and love and gratitude to her granddaughter, Echo Dunaway, who unselfishly and lovingly cared for her Grandma for six years.