Martha Tipton Dunn

Martha Tipton Dunn passed away peacefully on August 27, 2021 at her home surrounded by her loving family. Mrs. Dunn attended West Hills Presbyterian Church. She was born on October 3, 1939 in Chattanooga, TN to the late Christopher C. Tipton and Ruth Cartee Tipton.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Herbert and Joseph Tipton; sister and brother-in-law, Margaret and Hank Grigsby; mother and father-in-law, Sterling Jerome and Zula Dunn. Mrs. Dunn was also preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Laura Ellen Dunn; and her husband of almost 60 years, Paul Edward Dunn (Tiger), THE TRUE LOVE OF HER LIFE!!

Mrs. Dunn is survived by her loving children, Alison Dunn Jackson (Howard), Philip Edward Dunn (Laura), Betsy Dunn-Medley (David), Carolyn Dunn Hollis (Thomas); grandchildren, Emilee Bowles Jones (Eric), Nicholas Bowles (Britton), Tucker Bowles (Amy), Katie Dunn, Kelsey Dunn, Davis Edward Dunn, Mary Ellen Dunn, Macie Dunn; great-grandchildren, Carson Bowles, Aubree Eleanor Jones with whom she shared a special bond with her "Moo", Oakley Bowles and Addison Bowles. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Johnnie Tipton; her brother, Charles Tipton; and special nephew, Dr. Eric Grigsby, his wife Dr. Mary Grigsby-Rocca and their children.

Mrs. Dunn was an honors graduate of Chattanooga City High School. She attended the University of Tennessee Knoxville when she was just sixteen years old. She played in the Pride of the Southland Band. She was also a writer for the Orange and White newspaper. Mrs. Dunn met her future husband; Paul Edward Dunn, at the University of Tennessee. She was involved in several organizations in the Knoxville area for many years. She devoted love, time and energy to the Girl's Club of Knoxville, Ossoli Circle, which awarded her the 1971 Outstanding Member award for her work. She was also devoted to other countless charities. She was an outstanding Girl Scout troop leader, homeroom mother and president of several garden clubs. She was also a member of the Knoxville Symphony Guild.

Mrs. Dunn enjoyed long and very successful careers with IBM and General Mills Inc. She received several awards for outstanding sales rep of the year. She was asked to speak at the General Mills Inc. National Sales Meeting in 1981. She was also fashion coordinator for the Knox department stores.

Martha Tipton Dunn was a magnificent combination of unwavering faith, strength of the strongest steel given to her by the good Lord; an amazing wife and mother, grandmother and great-grandmother; a person who showed great respect and love for all people and animals; a gifted writer; a person who proudly embraced impeccable manners; flawless grammar and true southern grace and charm, all wrapped up in one glorious package. Our mother, our Steel Magnolia! You will be eternally loved and remembered. "Her children will rise up and call her blessed." Proverbs 31:28

We were truly blessed by the good Lord to have had her as our mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Losing her has been a profound loss to our entire family. All of the beautiful and priceless things she has taught us will live on in us forever! Her life was indeed a life well lived! We find great comfort in the fact that she is walking the Streets of Gold with Jesus, Daddy and Laura Ellen. We have all imagined Laura Ellen hugging our mother and shouting "Mother, I am cancer Free! There is no cancer in Heaven!". What a GLORIOUS REUNION it must have been at 6:23 pm on Friday, August 27th, 2021!! "Job well done good and faithful servant." Matthew 25:23

Due to COVID-19, all services will be private. There will be a funeral service at West Hills Presbyterian Church with Senior Pastor John E. McKenzie and Pastor Steve Tiebout officiating. A graveside service will follow at Edgewood Cemetery. Pallbearers will be David Medley, Davis Dunn, Eric Jones, Howard Jackson, Nicholas Bowles, Thomas Hollis and Tucker Bowles.

We would like to thank all of the countless friends who have prayed for our mother, father and family over the past several years. Every single prayer and act of kindness has been greatly appreciated!

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or the Leukemia / Lymphoma Society.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.berryhighlandmemorial.com for the Dunn family.