Karen White Dunn

Karen White Dunn of Raleigh, North Carolina passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. Karen was born in 1943 and grew up in Statesville, NC with her twin sister Karol White Jones and her younger brother, David James White. Her parents were the late James Burley White and Zola Williams White.

Karen graduated with high honors from East Carolina University in 1965 with a degree in Home Economics and was a member of Delta Zeta sorority. She also earned a master’s degree in child development from Florida State University.

Early in her career, Karen worked as an Extension Agent with the North Carolina Extension Service, a preschool teacher, and an instructor at East Carolina University. Karen worked for North Carolina State Government for 20 years in the DHHS Division of Child Development. As a Program Manager, she advocated for safe, quality childcare for North Carolina’s children. Karen retired in 2003 and was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine for exemplary service to the State of North Carolina.

Karen will be lovingly remembered by William L Dunn III (Bill), her husband of 51 years; her daughter, Caroline Dunn Schwentker; son-in-law, David Nickell Schwentker; grandsons Cameron and Will; sister Karol White Jones and sister-in-law Margaret Dunn Peeples.

A private burial service will be held at Mitchell Funeral Home Raleigh Memorial Park. A memorial service for Karen will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 112 S Salisbury St. Raleigh NC on Saturday, May 3rd at 1:00pm. A time for visitation will follow the service.

Karen cherished her First Presbyterian Church community, where she and Bill have been members since 1973. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Karen’s memory to the First Presbyterian Church Friendship Fund at First Presbyterian Church, 112 S Salisbury St.Raleigh, NC 27601 or https://fpcraleigh.org/give