Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Horace Dunn

Angels came for a most loyal servant, the Reverend Horace J. Dunn, 82, on Aug. 2, 2005.

The Rev. Dunn surrendered to the call to preach in 1962 at the Central Baptist Church in Texarkana, Ark. His ministry included First Baptist Church in the Wallace Community of Foreman, Ark., Murmil Heights Baptist Church (formerly Beacon Baptist) of El Dorado, Zion Baptist Church of Fordyce, First Baptist Church of Gurdon, First Baptist Church of New Edinburg, Beech Street Baptist Church of Crossett and concluding his ministry at Victory Baptist Church in Hampton.

The Rev. Dunn saw Victory Baptist Church grow from a small congregation to its current size of one of the largest in Hampton under his leadership.

He also served on the board of Central Baptist College, Conway, for 11 years, was the Chaplain of the Crossett Police Department, an active member of the Ministerial Alliance and held revivals all over Arkansas.

He was also the lead singer of the Hampton Gospel Singers Quartet. The Rev. Dunn and members of his family sang for many events over the last 65 years in and around Calhoun County. Prior to his surrender to preaching, he was the Parts Department Supervisor for Catepillar, Inc. in Peoria, Ill. When he returned to Arkansas, he sold insurance for National Life and Casualty Company in Texarkana, Ark.

The Rev. Dunn is survived by his wife of 57 years, Betty Jane McDuffie Dunn of Hampton; daughters Cindy Graves and husband Mike of El Dorado, and Kim Tomlin and husband Jason of Lewisville; grandsons, Brent Erwin (Sonya), Kingsland, Jermy Langley, Arkadelphia, granddaughters; Stacy Hill (Michael), Pine Bluff, Kyane Brazeal (Tony), Hampton, Stephanie Langley, Lewisville, great-grandchildren, A.J. Erwin and Tiffany Erwin, Kingsland, Taylor, Emily and Julie Hill, Pine Bluff, Abbey and Ryder Breazeale, Hampton.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Adrian and Truitt Dunn of Hampton, brother James Harvey Dunn, sister-in-law LaVerne Dunn and son-in-law Johnny Langley.

Survivors also include his brothers, Joe T. Dunn, Vernon (Red) Dunn (Frances) of Hampton, Carroll Wayne Dunn (Marty) of Little Rock and William Dunn (Gloria) of Branson, Missouri, his sisters, Louise Silen of Hampton and Ida Johnson (Joe) of Little Rock, and Clois Dunn (widow of James Harvey).

He is also survived by numerous brother-in-laws, sister-in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and other family members and a host of loving and caring friends.

A special expression of gratitude is extended to the wonderful staff at Oak Ridge Rehabilitation center and Nursing Home. Your love, care and concern exceeded all descriptions, not only for Brother Dunn but for his entire family.

Thanks also to Dr. Hardin and his nurse practitioner for their dedication and hard work.

Homegoing services for the Rev. Dunn were held at Victory Baptist Church in Hamption at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 4, 2005, with the Reverends James Ray Raines and Sam Higgs officiating. The choir will be under the direction of Dale Lindsey.

Pallbearers were David Dunn, Randy Dunn, Barry Dunn, Chad Davis, Larry Davis, Ted Roark, Robin James, and James Graves.

Burial was in the Dunn Cemetery at Hampton. Family visitation was at Benton Funeral Home in Hampton on Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2005, from 6-8 p.m. The family was at the home of Ida and Joe Johnson.

Memorials may be made in his memory to the Victory Baptist church of Hampton.

Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Benton Funeral Home of Hampton and Fordyce. To sign the online register, visit www.bentonfuneralhome.com.