James Delbert Dunavant

Mr. James Don Dunavant of Memphis, 92, died March 21, 2014, at his home. Mr. Dunavant was born September 26, 1921, in Ripley, TN to Jim and Dorothy Strauser Dunavant. He was raised in Memphis and graduated from Tech High School in 1939. After serving in the Navy during World War II for 3 years, he earned a Bachelor's degree from Memphis State College in 1950, and a Master's degree from Ole Miss in 1951. He married Clara Brassel on December 12, 1942, and was married for 61 years until her death in April, 2004. Mr. Dunavant retired from the IRS in 1986 after 35 years. He was a member of Mullins United Methodist Church for over 50 years.

Along with his wife and parents, Mr. Dunavant was proceeded in death by two brothers, Billy Dunavant, and Bobby J. Dunavant, and two sisters, Helen Soucy and Pauline Badley. Survivors include his son, Gary W. Dunavant (Nancy) of Birmingham AL; daughter Becky D. Scruggs (Charles) of Tupelo, MS; three grandsons, Gregory J. Dunavant (Dixon) of Atlanta, GA; Daniel H. Dunavant (Caroline) of Birmingham, AL, and Jordan D. Scruggs of Tupelo, MS, and two great grandchildren, James and Woods Dunavant of Atlanta, GA.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 in the chapel at Mullins United Methodist Church. Visitation will begin at 1:00. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Mullins United Methodist Church, 4 N. Mendenhall, Memphis, TN, 38117.