Kenneth Lawrence Dunn

Mr. Kenneth Lawrence Dunn, son of the late Wayland Dunn Sr. and Lillie Gill Dunn, was born in Wake County, March 1, 1934. He departed this life on September 10, 2022 at Duke Raleigh Hospital.

He graduated from Washington High School where he played the tuba in the band. He attended Shaw University, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in English. He was drafted into the United States Army where he held the position of Military Police. After being discharged he secured a job at Hudson Belk in the display department. He also sold insurance on the side to make extra money. He then worked for the United States Postal Service where he remained until his retirement in October of 1992. Upon retiring he gained the position of Shop Steward in the Postal Union, thus allowing him to travel from place to place.

He attended Grace Chapel and later First Church of God where he served as the Superintendent of the Sunday School. He then moved his membership to Martin Street Baptist Church where he served on the Deacon Board as well as singing in the Senior and Chorale Choirs as well as the Male Chorus. He was the president of the Sanctuary Choir as well as serving on the Deacon Board. He then moved his membership to First Baptist Church, Raleigh where he also served on the Deacon Board until his death.

He was an artist from birth, spent time drawing, lettering, which is genetically inherited. He was known for doing signs for churches and companies. He also decorated homes with lights and scenes during Christmas. He enlisted his grandsons to help him in later years to also continue his tradition of decorating homes.

He was very jovial and witty, known for cracking jokes and always had a positive word of encouragement for anyone who talked to him. He loved Shakespeare and could quote numerous passages. He was known for his love for “Muddy Water”, known as Arnold Palmer and his cereal with ice cream concoction instead of milk. He mentored young men in the community offering his skills and abilities to encourage these young men to be successful in their lives and with their families.

He will be dearly missed by family and friends and leaves a legacy behind with his attributes. He loved all his great grandchildren but Maliyah, as he always called her “Miss Maliyah” or “School Girl” held a special place in his heart. He had a special bond with her and often shared his cereal and ice cream concoction.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Rev. Muriel L. Dunn. He had one daughter, Laureen Dunn Aal-Anubia (Doctor) and five grandchildren, Y’Hoshua Laurence Aal-Anubia (Breanna), Tymetheuz Rashad Aal-Anubia, Maiah Shecaniah Aal-Anubia, Aliyah Janeen Aal-Anubia, and Elijah El ‘Amin Aal-Anubia; six great-grandchildren, two sisters, Mary Dunn of Louisburg, NC, and Barbara D. Wells of Rocky Mount, NC. He was preceded in death by his three sisters Lillie M. Dunn, Gladys D. Cannon, and Parthenia Green; and one brother, Wayland Dunn Jr. He leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Funeral Service:  11:00 AM, Friday, September 23, 2022 at First Baptist Church, 101S. Wilmington Street, Raleigh, NC.

Visitation:  10:30 AM - 11:00 AM, preceding the funeral service at the church. 

Interment:  Carolina Biblical Gardens, Garner, NC.

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