Dorothy Jo Arnold Nunn

Dorothy Jo Arnold Nunn took leave for her eternal rest on Friday, March 4, 2022 in Jacksonville, Florida.   She was a native Austinite and the fourth child born to the David and Judia Graham Arnold. She was predeceased by her parents and three brothers. Mrs. Nunn attended the former L.C. Anderson High School and went to night school to complete her General Equivalency Diploma.  She also attended nursing school at Brackenridge Hospital and received her Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and graduated Cum Laude from the former Crescent Beauty School in East Austin under the directorship of Madame U.V Christian.   She worked in the cosmetology industry for 60 plus years until her health began to fail.  She enjoyed making her clients look beautiful.In addition to working as a hairdresser, Ms. Nunn was a cosmetics consultant for Aularale and Billie Jean and the owner of ABC Dress Shop which provided fine clothing and ushers uniforms for local churches. She worked at Bazaar Beauty Shop (formerly located on East 12th Street for the late Mrs. Willie Mae McCall) the 1550 Beauty Shop (for her first cousin Mrs. Jacqueline Pleasant and Mrs. Annie Mae Axzell), and worked at various shops until she opened Nunn’s Beauty Shop in 1961 at 1405 Salina Street.  After leasing for three years, she moved and established the ABC Beauty Salon at 1903 East 16th Street which was in operation from 1964 until 2018.  Her clientele consisted of all generations and people from all walks of life.  She and her friend and colleague, the late Ms. Birdia L. Jones, worked together for 20 plus years. She and her colleague Ms. Jones often donated their hair dressing services to local nursing home residents who needed hair care and beauty treatments. She also was known for her great cooking – King Ranch Chicken, turkey and dressing, fried catfish, and her famous 7-Up  pound cakes.In addition to her cosmetology career, Ms. Nunn worked in the health field at the former Bracken-ridge Hospital and various nursing facilities (the former Brown Nursing Home, Arnold’s Nursing Home, Cullen Nursing Home, and Upjohn Nursing Home). As a public servant - she worked as a direct care worker for 19 plus years at Austin State School until her retirement  Her professional memberships included:  the Texas State Association and Beauty Culturists League #47, the Austin Beauticians League, and the National Beauticians League.   Her honors  encompass: 2006 Texas State Association and Beauty Culturists League #47 in Recognition for 50 Years of Loyal and Dedicated Service in Cosmetology Industry (State Convention - Houston, Texas) and as the 2008 Business Honoree by National Women of Achievement, Inc. – Austin Metroplex Chapter. She was a member of the Delta Friends (a charitable group led by President Goldie Freeman), Texas Retired Public Employee Council, and the American Association for Retired Persons. Ms. Nunn was a very faithful and devoted member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church for 70 plus years. Her ministries included: Mission II, the Usher Board, the Thanksgiving Outreach Project, and various Bible studies.  She was a faithful supporter of numerous church activities.  She leaves to mourn three adult children: George Washington Carver Marshall of Florida, Robert L. Nunn, Jr., and Kathleen Sheldon (Ed); first cousin, Mrs. Jacqueline Pleasant; ten grandchildren; twenty-nine great-grandchildren; twelve great-great-grandchildren; and a host of friends and loved ones.Gifts in memory may be made to Mt. Olive Baptist Church and designated for the Thanksgiving Outreach Project and Food Pantry.