Sandra Dunn

Sandra Paulette Dunn was born in New Orleans, Louisiana to the late Jennette Lewis Dunn and the late Lester Dunn Sr. on November 14, 1949.  Her mother had 3 girls in 3 years, Beatrice, Frances and Sandra.  Lester Jr. arrived 12 years later. The statement “it takes a village to raise a child” is so true of Sandra’s life.  She spent all but the last fifteen years of her life in the “village” of the West 30’s in Covington, Louisiana.  In Sandra’s village, the center of activity was her home, her grandmother’s home, her church, her neighbors, and the schools she attended.

Besides her parents, her maternal grandmother, Sister Lucille “Francis” Robinson, greatly influenced Sandra’s life. Some of her fondest childhood memories occurred in her grandmother’s kitchen.  It was there that she stirred homemade pecan candy or cake dough and argued with her sisters over whose turn it was to lick the spoon or the bowl.  It was there, while shelling peas, pecans, or snapping beans that all the activities of the day were discussed. It was there she learned that worship was not just for Sunday but a way of life, because her grandmother did not work without singing one of those old songs of Zion.

In Sandra’s village, the center of attraction was her church, The Mount Zion Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, located just 2 blocks from her home.  She was “literally” born in that church. She was often told by elders that they remembered her sitting on her mother’s lap as her mother played the organ.  Her parents and grandmother were deeply involved in most of the activities of the church resulting in her and her siblings also being deeply involved.  Going to church and being a servant for the Lord was a lifestyle and Sandra continued that lifestyle until her death.

Sandra attended the Covington Rosenwald High School, located 2 blocks from her home in the opposite direction from her church.  With everyone of school age attending the same school, Sandra knew most of the students and all of the teachers.  The school’s gym was the community center for Sandra’s village.  At the beginning of her senior year, she was transferred to the newly constructed high school, Pineview High. She graduated from Pineview in May 1967, becoming a member of its first graduating class. Sandra enrolled in the Job Corps to further her education.

Sandra loved her village and her greatest joy and claim to fame came from caring for her nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.  She was their “Nanny”.  Not only having a genuine love for them and being patient with them, but being their protector. Her sisters never worried about the safety of their kids in her presence. While listening the tributes written by her “babies”, you will see that the love was reciprocated.
 
When Hurricane Katrina began bearing down on Southern Louisiana in 2005, Sandra and her immediate family caravanned to Houston to the homes of her nephew and niece, James and Achanta. After a week,  when it became apparent that their stay could last indefinitely, her sister Frances called her daughter, Faith, to house her, her mother, Jennette, and Sandra at her home in McKinney, Texas.  Sandra loved McKinney and surprisingly decided to remain there until God called her home.  Adhering to the Baptist Church Covenant, as soon as possible, she united with St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Charles S. Wattley. When her mother, Jennette, died in 2010, Sandra once again decided to remain in McKinney. McKinney had become her new village. She loved living at Country Lane Senior Housing and she loved her church and church members.
 
On Saturday, February 15, at 4:15 am at the Baylor Scott and White Hospital, in McKinney, in a twinkling of an eye, God looked down on his faithful and loving servant and took her home. Her journey down here was over.  She fought the good fight.  She kept the faith and now a crown of life awaits.
 
She was preceded in death by her grandmother, mother, father and one great nephew, Savion Cavalier.
 
She leaves to cherish her memory, four sisters who loved her dearly, Beatrice Dunn Penn, Frances Dunn, Leslie Nunnery (James) and Sarah Crisp (James), and three brothers Lester Dunn, Jr. (Valeria), Arlyn Dunn (Rozeka) and Landis Dunn (Robin); four nieces who adored ”Nanny”, Keisa Cavalier, Faith Johnson (Rodney), Achanta Demery (Tobias), and Erin Mitchell (Tremaine); one nephew James Cavalier (Marlene), 16 great-nieces and nephews, Chelsea Cavalier, Rymeen Cavalier, Imani Dunn, Jaelaun Cavalier, Kahlil Cavalier, Taylor Demery, Camryn Demery, Baleigh Cavalier, Davis James Cavalier, Avery Demery, Kendall Cavalier, Caleb Mitchell, Eugenay Cavalier, Trinity Mitchell, Destiny Johnson and Journee Mitchell; a host of great-great nieces and nephews; cousins; other relatives and numerous friends. The passing has come, we can only say, life’s work well done, life’s crown well won, and now she rests.  Nanny, our precious love one, we’ll see you in the morning and what a day that will be.

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