Rosabell Dunn

Rosabell “Rose” Dunn was born on December 15, 1938, in Nashville, Tennessee to Lucille Crawford Brown and Thomas Lee Walker Jr. She accepted Christ at an early age and began her walk of faith at Vine Glenn Baptist Church in Nashville. She graduated from Haynes High School in 1956. She had a passion for music, math and was an active member of her high school’s girls’ basketball team.

Rose went on to become a phlebotomist at Baptist Hospital in Nashville, and would later retire from St. Luke’s Hospital in Houston. She was also one of the few African American phlebotomists at Baptist Hospital.

Rose was a gifted pianist and singer. You could not think of Rose without thinking about a piano. Growing up she played piano at her childhood church, Vine Glenn, and later played for years at Phillip Chapel Methodist Church in Nashville.

On September 16, 1972, Rose married her faithful partner, Frank Alexander Dunn. The couple moved around, from Nashville to Houston then Cincinnati, before finally settling in Houston for good in 1979. Together the two founded New Galilee Church of Unity in Houston, Texas. She served diligently as First Lady and, of course, played the piano for the church. She took her role as First Lady/ Lady Elect very seriously. She oversaw the church’s missionary and Evangelical work, children’s Sunday school, and vacation bible school. She handled New Galilee’s finances. She was a teacher to all and an exemplary leader in her own right. Rose dedicated over 50 years to the ministry.

In addition to her musical abilities, Rosabell was a revered baker, famous for her Italian cream cake, cheesecake pies, buttermilk pies, caramel cake, and yeast rolls to name a few. However, she was the pickiest of eaters and not a lover of anything spicy.

Rose embodied grace, class, strength, and wisdom, and like her name suggests she was a beautiful woman both inside and out. She was a woman of few words – but when she did speak, people listened. She could be described as a true woman of God and a prayer warrior. Rosabell was selfless. She was Granny to everyone she met.

Rosabell was preceded in death by her parents; her great aunts, Emma Malone, and Annie Edwards; her brothers, Thomas Lee Walker, III (Louise) and William Howard Walker (Lettie Jean); and her sister, Annie Elizabeth Hamilton (Gordon).

Rosabell leaves to cherish her memory a loving husband, Frank Dunn; son William Felix Buchanan Jr. (Sheila); Marvin Dunn (Dayna); bonus daughters Carmita Boyd, the late Tyrell Davis, Rhonda Hardy (Anthony), and Jeri Mason (Curtis); granddaughter Tiffanie Nicole Buchanan; grandsons William Ferris Buchanan (Jennifer), D’Angelo Rashawn Buchanan (Charquinthia), Joseph Griggs Jr., Joshua George (Levada), Bryant George (Randina), Matthew George, Cornelius George Jr.; granddaughters Latasha Yarborough (Charles) and Shatala Cain (Gary); grandsons Marion Quinn Jackson Jr and Rashaad A. Hardy; and over 40 great-grandchildren.

It is nearly impossible to quantify the lasting impact Rosabell has had in the lives of all that knew her. She was a phenomenal woman that will be deeply missed, but her spirit will definitely live on in the lives she touched during the glorious 84 years she graced this side of heaven.