Annette Richards Dunn was born on October 4, 1940, in Texarkana, Texas, to Jesse and Annie Lee Richards. In 1945, the family of three moved to West Oakland, California, in search of better job opportunities and an improved quality of life. Over the next twenty-two years, the Richards family grew to include seven more children.
At an early age, Annette was baptized at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Oakland. After relocating to East Oakland, the family became members of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, where she was part of Martha's Circle. Annette attended Prescott Elementary School, Woodrow Wilson Junior High School, and graduated from McClymonds High School in 1958. She went on to attend Merritt College, where she pursued studies in Early Childhood Education.
Although she initially considered a career in education, Annette was hired in 1961 as a Buyer at the Naval Supply Center: She later advanced to the role of Contract Specialist for the U. S.Coast Guard.
She served with dedication and excellence for 40 years before retiring from federal service.
Annette did not stay retired long. She worked at Macy's, her favorite place to shop, for about two years. Subsequently, she went to work as the Director of the Herbert Guice Christian Academy for the next four years. At that time, Guice Academy was an elementary school and was WASC accredited.
In 1961, Annette married her high school sweetheart, Lawrence Edward Dunn. Together, they were blessed with two children, Darryl and Robin. Family was at the center of Annette's life. She supported her children wholeheartedly in their academic, extracurricular, and professional pursuits.She proudly traveled to events such as Robin's marathons and triathlons in places like Anchorage, Alaska and Honolulu, Hawaii. In 2002, she accompanied Lawrence and Robin to Rome, Italy, where Robin pursued studies in Teaching English as a Foreign Language.
Annette was the heart of family gatherings, keeping traditions alive with her Easter and Christmas brunches and Thanksgiving dinners, She was generous in countless ways- offering advice, extending a helping hand, and supporting loved ones through both encouragement and financial assistance.
Annette Richards-Dunn,Viewing will be held Monday, May 19, 2025 from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM at C. P. Bannon Mortuary, 6800 International Blvd, Oakland, CA 94621.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM, at C. P. Bannon Mortuary.
Internment will be held at Rolling Hills Memorial Park 4100 Hilltop Dr., Richmond CA 94803 at 2pm.
