Mr. Joseph Clay Dunn, father, grandfather, great and great great grandfather was born May 16th, 1930, to the late Ruth Mae Atkins and James Dunn, (Pulliam) in Pickensville, Alabama. He departed this life in the early morning of February 11, 2024, surrounded by an abundance of love.
He confessed Christ at a very early age. Joseph Dunn was a patriarch who lived an outstanding life of honor, integrity and pride. He possessed a tremendous amount of loyalty, generosity and compassion for everyone he met. He was very proud of his upbringing on that ole farm in Pickensville, Alabama with his
mother, great grandmother Elsie, grandparents Lonnie and Lucy Atkins and fourteen aunts and uncles. As a child he moved to both St. Louis, Missouri and Cleveland, Ohio with his parents before moving to Vallejo and Compton, California. At a young age he frequented the pool hall in Vallejo, where he became very good at playing pool.
He attended Vallejo Junior and Senior High School, where he met his high school sweetheart, Betty Jean Echor. Joseph joined the Merchant Marines in Vallejo where he spent months on ships transporting cargo, delivering equipment to military troops and vessels. In addition to being a Merchant Marine, he joined the Mason Lodge and reached 32 degrees. Joseph and Betty became proud parents of three children, Joseph C. Dunn Jr, Tyrone C. Dunn, and LoJuanah D. Dunn.
After the passing of his wife, he took the role of father to Eryka J. Wurdig, Dunn. Upon leaving Los Angeles, Joe moved his children to Cleveland, Ohio. He began working for Velotta & Sons construction company for many years. Afterwards he became an entrepreneur and owner of his own establishment, Ansel Rd Deli, later named Joey’s Deli.
He retired after more than 25 years. After retirement his favorite past times were fishing, spending time with his many grandchildren, watching cowboy movies, CNN. In Cleveland, he met his long-time love of 50 years, Lois Jean Wall and became a father figure to four beautiful children.
Those who has preceded him in death are; his mother, and father, Ruth Mae and James, brother, Earnest Edward McCuller, granddaughter, LoShawnah D. Clay,bson Joseph C. Dunn, Jr, De’ Veah, great-great granddaughter, aunts; Annie Mae Hardin,bEloise Parker, Blanch Stinson, Coty Kelly, Mattie Pearl Spann, Lessie B. Bonner. Uncles;John Atkins, Walter Atkins, Eddy B. Atkins, Lonzo Atkins, David Atkins. He leaves a host of relatives mourning his passing which are his son Mr. Tyrone Clay Dunn, six daughters, Ms.LoJuanah D. Dunn, (Son in Law, Walter E. Clay) Eryka J. Echor-Dunn, Victoria Wall, Cassandra Wall, Marrietta Carmon, and Makeisha Wall. Twenty-five grandchildren. Fifty nine great grandchildren, thirty-eight great-great-grandchildren, and one nephew, Earnest Edward McCuller, and many other relatives and friends.
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