CLAYTON Patsy Jean Howell Dunham, 79, of Fayetteville, passed away at her daughters home on Friday, November 27, 2015, following a lengthy illness. Patsy was born June 17, 1936, in Barker-Ten Mile, North Carolina, to William Kindred Howell and Leanna Devane Howell. A graduate of Barker-Ten Mile High School, she grew up on a farm in Robeson County and drove a school bus while in high school. After being named Miss Pages Lake 1957, Patsy met her future husband, John Dunham, at a dance at the lake. They wed in 1959 and were married for 55 years until his death last year. She accompanied her husband during his career with the Air Force and subsequent work with General Electric at postings in North Carolina, Louisiana, England, Pennsylvania and South Carolina, before their eventual retirement to Fayetteville. Patsy loved flowers and was a life-long gardener who belonged to garden clubs over the years, most recently the Dig-a-Bit Garden Club in Eastover. She was also an active member of the Eastover Civic Club and Salem United Methodist Church. Patsy was particularly well-known for her gracious hospitality and kind spirit. Both she and her husband relished the role of neighbor, and enjoyed sitting on their front porch and visiting with fellow residents of the Baywood Community. Patsys greatest passion in life, however, was her family. A devoted wife, sister, aunt, mother and grandmother, she volunteered at her childrens schools, and attended countless basketball games, choir concerts, and piano recitals, in which they performed. Her grandchildren provided her with enormous joy and filled her life with purpose. To them, she was simply their beloved Grammy. She is survived by her son, John I. Dunham Jr. and his wife, Vicki Dunham, of California City, Calif.; son, Mark Dunham and his partner, the Rev. Dr. Kenneth Kovacs, of Washington, DC; daughter, Jeanne Dunham Karst and her husband, Matt Karst, of Clayton; sister, Marcelle Riddle of Louisville, KY; and grandchildren, Devon Karst of Raleigh, Mattilyn Karst of Chapel Hill, Chason Karst of Charlotte, and Alexandra Dunham, John Dunham, Holtman Dunham and Skylar Dunham, of California City. A private graveside service is taking place today at the Bethlehem United Methodist cemetery in White Oak. Family and friends are invited to a Service of Witness to the Resurrection will be held at 11a.m. on Saturday, December 12, at Salem United Methodist Church, 2165 Middle Road, Eastover. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial gifts be directed to Ruth Sheets Adult Care Center, 228 West Edenton Street, Raleigh, NC 27603, or Salem United Methodist Church, 2165 Middle Road, Eastover, NC 28312.

The family is grateful for the thoughtful care and support of friends and neighbors who showed their love for Patsy during her illness. They are particularly thankful to the staff members of Transitions Home Care and the Ruth Sheets Center whose skilled and compassionate care made such a difference to Patsy over the last year. Arrangements by Jernigan-Warren Funeral