Caroline R. Black Dunham

Caroline was born on January 27, 1935 to the late James L. and Minnie F. Black in Piqua, Ohio.

Caroline was Head Majorette at Piqua Central High, graduating in 1952, owner/designer of a retail/wholesale Gerlach's the Florist, Piqua, for 10 years. After 12 years of marriage moved to Dayton, OH in 1964 and worked as an executive administrative assistant for Kircher, Helton and Collett advertising agency. She married Richard Dunham on May 18, 1973 at sunset on the beach in Venice, Florida. Lived in Rockford, IL and retired in 1979 to NC, in 1987 built their home in Riverbend on the Trent River in New Bern, NC.

She is survived by her husband Richard Hinkle Dunham, daughters ; Cheri R. Sowter of Cary, NC, and Cindi K. Ross (Tim) of New Lebanon, OH, son Donald B. Ruffner of Piqua, OH, step son Woody Henyan and Sue of Campbell, NY and grandson Matthew F. Ruffner of Piqua, OH., brothers Den Black of Chesapeak, VA, Dave Black of Tipp City, OH, Bob Black of Zepherhills, FL and Chuck Black of Piqua, OH., and many neices and nephews.

Caroline was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and sister. She was a classy lady who enjoyed vacationing with all of her beautiful children, as she called them, decorating her grand home,flower gardening, reading, playing golf, shoe shopping, entertaining her friends and cooking an occasional gourmet meal.

Caroline belonged to the New Bern Golf & Country Club and Gardening Club.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Second Chance Pet Adoptions, Second Chance Pet Adoptions, Inc., PO Box 73, Cary, NC 27512 @ https://www.secondchancenc.org/support-us/ or 3HC, 214 Main Street, Pollocksville, NC 28573.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 3PM Sunday May 24, 2015 at Cotten Funeral Home.