Jennifer Lauren Dunaway

Jennifer Lauren Dunaway Smith of Brookhaven, Georgia passed away surrounded by family and friends on March 24 after a brief, but brave battle with a highly aggressive form of cancer. She is survived by her loving husband Brian; parents Ginger and Dean of Madison, Mississippi; brother Andrew (Carley) of Jackson, Mississippi; father-in-law J.D. Smith of Gainesville, Georgia; sister-in-law Joanna Smith Nijem (Billy) of Valdosta, Georgia; and her beloved nephews (William, John Thomas, William) and niece (Olivia).

Born in Jackson, Mississippi on August 31,1980, Jennifer attended Jackson Preparatory School and graduated from Vanderbilt University where she was an active member in student government as well as being a founding member of the Eta Epsilon chapter of Delta Gamma, serving as the chapter’s vice president, and as president of the Panhellenic Council.

After graduation in 2003, Jennifer spent the summer backpacking through Europe before moving to Atlanta and beginning her career in public relations, marketing, and event planning. Jennifer formed J. Dunaway Public Relations in 2011 after gaining years of experience working in the industry. She proudly served businesses both small and large, local and national, as well as a seemingly endless array of different nonprofits and community-focused organizations. Jennifer was able to parlay her public relations skills and her love of hosting to add event and party planning to her skill set.

Often joking that someone stop her before she volunteers again, Jennifer was a pillar of her community. Her community engagements and volunteer projects are far too extensive to list. They include her role on the Board for Lion Pride, serving socially disadvantaged students at Lake Forest Elementary School. She previously served on the board of the Atlanta Girls’ School and played key roles with the Atlanta Community Food Bank, co-chairing their Fall for Fashion event for seven years. Jennifer was instrumental in rebranding and co-chairing Georgia CASA’s fundraising events and continued her commitment to their ‘CASA on the Catwalk’ planning committee. She was also proud to be a member of the inaugural class of Leadership Perimeter, representing Brookhaven, Dunwoody, and Sandy Springs.

Jennifer was a member of the Junior League of Atlanta since 2006. Through her active service, leadership, and sustaining roles, Jennifer embodied dedication and enthusiasm for the League's mission, serving as Vice President of Community Impact, Vice President of Marketing, and Centennial Project Chair.

A devoted wife, daughter, sister, and friend Jennifer could brighten a room with her smile, start the party, and effortlessly ensure that everything was perfect along the way. An avid cook and baker, Jennifer loved to host friends and family any time of the year but the holidays were her time to shine as the sheer quantity and quality of her baked goods put a bakery to shame. A voracious reader with a zeal for travel, Jennifer’s passport was always ready for the next stamp. Jennifer was a proud ‘foster fail’ – adopting her two rescue dogs, Huckleberry and Hodgepodge, who adored her along with her extended pack of Shadow and the Mississippi corgi trio Kip, Abby, and Winston.

A memorial service will be held at Peachtree Presbyterian Church on Thursday, April 10, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Georgia Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) or Canine Caravan Rescue.