Reverend Samuel Eugene Dunson

With deepest regret, we announce the passing from this life of Reverend Samuel Eugene Dunson, 65, a native of Roanoke, Alabama and current resident of 616 Chaffee Street, Talladega, AL 35160.

Reverend Dunson transitioned from this life on Wednesday evening, March 1, 2017, at Talladega Health Care Center, Talledega, Alabama.

Reverend Dunson will be available for public viewing and visitation on Monday, March 6, 2017, from 1:00 pm until 6:00 pm.

The Home Going Service will be observed on Tuesday, March 7, 2017, at 11:00 O'Clcok AM from the First Baptist Church, 549 Riley Street, Roanoke, Alabama, with the pastor and eulogist, Reverend Gilbert Staples Officiating.

Serving as Honorary Attendants will be his classmates from the Graduating class of 1971.

Burial will follow in the Rock Mills Baptist Church Cemetery, 126 County Road 2207, Roanoke, (Rock Mills), Alabama.

Rev. Samuel Eugene Dunson was a true son of Roanoke and Randolph County, Alabama. "Good-looking" or "Sam" as he was affectionately known to his family, close friends and loved-ones was born in Roanoke, Randolph County, Alabama, on October 25, 1951, to the parentage of the late Virgil Dunson, and Ruby Nell (Lane) Dunson. Sequentially, "Good-looking" was about the fifth (5th) of ten children born to Ms. Ruby Nell Dunson. The siblings in this family included: Barbara Ann Slaughter, Judy Dunson, JL Dunson, Margie Dunson, Samuel Dunson, Jeffery Dunson, Donald Dunson (who died in infancy), Donald Carter, Lucretia Carter, and Janice Johnson. All are deceased except for three.

At an early age, Samuel became acquainted with the word of God, through Sunday School attendance at Frist Baptist Church. As a youth, he attended regularly and participated in all church activities, including Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Worship services, and any other activities that helped him understand this concept of discipleship. Consequently, at a very young age, under the leadership of Reverend T.J. Askew, he joined First Baptist Church, Riley Street, in Roanoke, Alabama.

As with many black families of that time, the Dunson family was no different. The family saw many hard times, and hardships, but Samuel was DETERMINED that he was going to work his way up and out of the limiting circumstances of his family. Because of this many of his friends referred to him as "Hard-Time." Therefore, he began working as a mere teenager, while still attending Randolph County Training School. He worked as an orderly at Randolph County Hospital, he worked as a cook, and took on many many jobs so he could help himself AND his mother. He later transferred to Handley High School in Roanoke, where he graduated with the Class of 1971. While at Handley High School, he developed a long standing friendship with his high school business teacher, Mrs. Penny Bradshaw. Mrs. Bradshaw made such an impression on him, that his admiration and love for Mrs. Bradshaw lasted for the duration of his life-time. During it's opening in the late 1960s, he went to work for Clark Funeral Home, and became very close to the Clarks. Wilkie Clark, a community leader and business-owner who Samuel admired, embraced him, becoming a "surrogate" father to Samuel. While with the Clarks, he received much encouragement to pursue an education in order to have the life he dreamed of. Soon after, he migrated to Canton, Ohio; and from there, to Detroit, Michigan, where he worked and resided with his Uncle and Aunt, Robert and Annie Finch. During this time, he completed his Paramedic training at Wayne State University, and worked as a Paramedic for a number of years for the City of Detroit. After several years, he retired from the City of Detroit.

While in Detroit, he continued his study of the Word, and -- following in the footsteps of his grandfather Reverend, E.R. Dunson and others whom he admired -- he was licensed to preach, and later ordained as a minister of the Gospel. What can be said of him is that he loved his family, he loved his friends, he loved the LORD, and He loved his Church. He ALWAYS spoke of First Baptist Church endearingly.. He frequently returned home to visit family and friends. Upon his return trips home, he NEVER failed to call on those he loved... Often bringing with him beautiful gifts of endearment. He loved and admired the late Mrs. Helen Nolan, who was like a "God-mother" with whom he would stay whenever he returned to Alabama to visit.

His survivors include his brother, The Reverend Jeffery D. Rosser (Janice) of Roanoke, Alabama; and two (2) sisters, Lucretia Lane of Roanoke, Alabama and Janice Johnson of Atlanta, Georgia; LaVale Nolan whom he loved and called his son; a loving nephew, Michael Kilpatrick of Anniston, Alabama; his two favorite nieces, Tedra Carlisle and Tyronica Dunson of Roanoke, Alabama; a host of nieces, nephews, loving cousins, very dear friends: Annie Lee Hill, Catherine White and Family, Ruby Trammell, Walter Nolan "Lopy", Mrs. Penny Bradshaw, the late Wilkie Clark, and Charlotte A. Clark-Frieson all of Roanoke, Alabama, and many other relatives and friends, from both the maternal and paternal side of the family.

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