Jemmie A. Bunn

Funeral services for Jemmie A. Bunn, 85, of Huntington will be held Saturday, March 9, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at the Huntington First Baptist Church. Interment will follow in the Huntington Cemetery.

Jemmie was born May 26, 1927 in Shivers, Mississippi to Walter Dewey and Alma Mittie (Walters) Berry, and passed away Tuesday, March 5, 2013 in a Tyler Hospice facility. She had one sibling, a younger sister, Julia Berry Strachn, who preceded her in death. When Jemmie was in the second grade, her family moved to Odell, Texas and lived on her Uncle Earsey Walters (her mother's brother's) farm. One of her treasured memories was that her Uncle Eugie Berry paid for her to have piano lessons which she took very seriously. Her father sold a calf to buy an upright piano for her to practice. She attended Huntington schools, was voted "Most Beautiful" in high school, and was graduated at age 15, turning 16 shortly thereafter.

Her family then moved to Beaumont with her father's work, and her Sunday School class sponsored her as she attended college at Mary Hardin Baylor. She attended her final two years at Baylor University where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Bible with a minor in Elementary Education.

Jemmie taught K-2nd grade for 27 years in Houston, San Diego, Dallas, and Huntington. She had a beautiful singing voice and played the piano. She raised her children in church, teaching them to love God and to trust Him in every circumstance.

Upon retiring, she began to teach Backyard Bible Clubs and Big A Clubs, combining her love for children and her love for her Lord.

She attended Huntington First Baptist Church as a young girl and later with her children from 1966 to 1976 when she moved to Lufkin. There, she attended Memorial Baptist Church from 1976 to 2007 (31 years).

In 2003, Jemmie was diagnosed with dementia and later with Alzheimers. Despite this mentally crippling disease, she continued to have her sweet spirit and beautiful smile. She always loved her Lord and wanted so much to please Him. She would often be heard saying, "I just want to do what's right," even in the midst of late-stage Alzheimers.

Jemmie leaves a strong legacy of loving God's Word, wanting to please God,loving to teach children, and bringing many into God's Kingdom.
Jemmie is survived by her four children: Marci Bunn, now living in Norwich, CT; Jon Bunn (and wife Nene) of Huntington, TX; Charla Harris (and husband Mark) of Garland, TX; and Darlene Ryan (and husband Don) of Lindale, TX; her grandchildren: Victoria (Forrest) Lemieux (and husband Roland), Caleb Bunn, Jacob Bunn, Kris Bunn (and wife Alisha), Brandon Ryan, and Mackenzie Ryan (and wife McCartney); two great-grandchildren: Savannah Bunn and Matthew Bunn; two nieces: Linda Bryant (and husband Michael) and Nancy Dorsey (and husband Pat), of Lake Jackson, TX, and a multitude of grand and great-grand nephews and nieces.

Pallbearers will be Jacob Bunn, Mark Harris, Kris Bunn, Don Ryan, Brandon Ryan and Roland Lemieux.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Memorial Baptist Church, P.O. Box 150136, Lufkin, TX 75915, Alzheimer's Alliance of Smith County, 211 Winchester, Tyler, TX 75701 (www.alzalliance.org), or YWAM (Youth With a Mission) of Tyler, P.O. Box 3000, Garden Valley, TX 75771 (www.ywamtyler.org), with a note that it is for Don and Darlene (Bunn) Ryan.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday evening at Carroway Funeral Home in Huntington.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Huntington, directors.