SERVICES:  Sunday, September 15, 2024

First Baptist Church of New Augusta

2:00 p.m.

INTERMENT:  Fairley Cemetery

VISITATION:  Saturday, September 14, 2024

First Baptist Church of New Augusta

5:30 - until

Services for Maunteel "Bonnie" Dunaway, lovingly known as Meme, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, September 15, 2024, at the First Baptist Church of New Augusta.  A devoted member of the church, Maunteel passed away peacefully at her home on September 11, 2024, at the age of 102, surrounded by her family.  Burial will follow in Fairley Cemetery in the Deep Creek Community.

Kenneth Murphy will officiate the service.  Serving as pallbearers will be Brandon Pearce, Brady Pearce, Bailey Pearce, Kace Crechale, Bo Breland, Carl Joel Merrill, and Robert Shows, Jr.  Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Curtis Gates, Spencer Breland, Kameron Breland, Nicolas Mullins, Cody Garner, Cole Garner, Chris Garner, Christopher Merrill, and AJ Berkley.

Born on January 11, 1922, in Nola, MS, Maunteel was one of twelve children. She met her future husband, James Woodrow Dunaway, in 1941 and they were married in 1942. Their first daughter was born before Woodrow's deployment overseas during WWII. Following his return, the family relocated to Perry County, MS, first settling in Beaumont before finding their home in New Augusta.

Maunteel and Woodrow worked together to support their family and community, operating a local service station, parts house, and later operating her own business as an accomplished cosmetologist. She also served as a substitute teacher for many years to many generations. Over her 78 years in Perry County, she was known for her dedication to her family, her community, her faith, and the local school system.

Following Woodrow's passing in 1980, Maunteel continued to be a strong and guiding force for her expanding family. In the 1990s, she entered local politics, serving as Alderman and briefly as interim Mayor of New Augusta. Her efforts included working with both state and national officials to secure funding and grants for community projects that continue to benefit the area today.

Throughout her remarkable life, Maunteel was a cherished daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. She was a devoted friend and tireless advocate for everyone around her, regardless of race or gender. She was known for her strength, wisdom, and boundless love. Her leadership and unwavering support made her the cornerstone of her family, and she touched the lives of all who knew her. We are profoundly grateful to our God for the blessing of having her in our lives.

Maunteel was preceded in death by her husband, J.W. "Woodrow" Dunaway; her daughter, Bonnie Nell Yingling; her grandson, James Jordan Rayburn; her granddaughter, Mary Jo Mullins; her parents, Richard Franklin Gibson and Tera Tressie Smith Gibson; her siblings Dorothy Gibson, Pauline Williams, Magdalene Louise "M.L." Day, Doris Foster, Carl Kenneth Gibson, Joe Gibson, and Lloyd Gibson.

She is survived by her daughters, Diane (Stan) Proctor and Cheryl "Monnie" Pearce; her grandchildren, Carla Barnes, Carl Joel Merrill, Shemane (Kyle) Mullins, Bo (Terri) Breland, Dee (Robert) Shows, Christy (Joel) Garner, Brandon (Kadie) Pearce, Brady Pearce, and Bailey (Ashley) Pearce; great-grandchildren, Jacquelyn Merrill, Christopher (Kayla) Merrill, Lexandra Merrill, Lauryn Merrill, Catherine (Cody) Peters, Nicolas (Lexi) Mullins, Spencer (Faith) Breland, Kameron (Chasady) Breland, Taylor (Kennedy) Shows, Shelby (Tyler) Freeman, Anna Grace Shows, Cody (Kirsten) Garner, Cole (Macy) Garner, and Chris Garner; great-great-grandchildren, AJ Berkley, Kaylee Merrill, Kace Crechale, Peyton Merrill, Dylan Pearce, Camden Merrill, Dani Pearce, EJ McLain, Nicolas Mullins, Woodrow Pearce, Eli Peters, Joey Pearce, Emmitt Shows, and Aria Garner; and siblings, Carolyn Boose, Virginia Hearn, Shelton Gibson, and David (Christine) Gibson.  She also leaves behind a large number of beloved nieces and nephews.