Laura Beth Dunson

Laura was born on December 9, 1947, in San Antonio, TX, and on December 7, 2024, Laura joined her Lord & Savior in Heaven. She is preceded in death by her father, Moody Hopkins; her mother, Genevieve Ramer; her sister, Joie Comer; and her brother, Jim Hopkins.

Laura was raised in San Antonio, Texas. She attended Robert E. Lee High School. After one year in Fort Wayne, Indiana, she settled in Birmingham in 1967. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Samford University, and her master’s in counseling from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She worked for 41 years at the Birmingham News (with a 10-year gap from 1975-1985 to raise her kids). After a brief retirement, she became the Executive Director at Affordable Counseling Therapy, which she considered a mission work more than a job!

She is survived by her husband, Danny Dunson, of Gardendale; her son, Gavin Braunstein, of Alexandria, VA; her daughter, Brandi Braunstein, of Warrior; and her stepson, Allan Dunson (Tabitha) of Mt. Olive. Al. and grandchildren, Kaleb Dunson, Charlie Dunson, Breanna Dunson and Allie Dunson.

She was an active member of the Hope Church family in Gardendale, serving in many capacities over the years. She was a passionate mission worker doing 12 overseas mission trips to Brazil, Honduras and Dominican Republic doing evangelism with husband, Danny. She also participated in local ministries to Jimmie Hale, North Jefferson Women’s Center, The Foundry, First Light, Firehouse Ministries, Bundles of Hope and more.

The Celebration of her Life will be held at Hope Church, 805 Crest Road, Gardendale, Alabama, on Sunday, January 19, at 1pm. Her daughter requests where possible to wear something with yellow, Laura’s favorite color!

Donations to Hope Church (missions) can be made at hccommunity.org