
Thelma Elizabeth Johns Dunn
August 12, 1930 - March 4, 2016
Funeral services will be held for Thelma Elizabeth Johns Dunn, 85, Ville Platte, at Ninth Missionary Baptist Church in Ville Platte at 12 noon, Friday, March 18. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Ms. Dunn (Momma D) died Friday, March 4, 2016, in Montgomery, Maryland. She was born to Zeno Johns and Doffus Fields of Ville Platte on August 12, 1930. She was a member of Ninth Missionary Baptist Church in Ville Platte. She was baptized at an early age at Ninth Missionary Baptist Church, which was then under the leadership of the late Rev. W.C. Frank and is currently under the leadership of Rev. Darwan T. Lazard, where she has remained a member. She graduated from Ville Platte Negro High School in 1947 and later attended Grambling College, from which she graduated with a BS Degree in elementary education in 1951. After graduation, she taught in Rayne for one year. Ms. Dunn united in holy matrimony to the love of her life, the late Mr. Freddie L. Dunn Sr. (her brown bomber) on March 17, 1952. To this union was born two sons. She earned her Master’s Degree in 1969 and 30+ from Southern University in education.
For several years, Ms. Dunn served as a teacher and librarian at Carver Elementary School in Chataignier, as well as an elementary school teacher at James Stephens Elementary School in Ville Platte. She was the supervising teacher for many students completing their student teaching in Evangeline Parish. She retired from the Evangeline Parish School System in 1985. She was a member of the Evangeline Parish Retired Teachers Association, Louisiana Retired Teachers Association and the Herman McCall Alumni Chapter of Grambling State University. Her life was dedicated to education, community service and working with children and aspiring educators in Evangeline Parish. Ms. Dunn also served on the Evangeline Parish Police Jury and completed Mr. Dunn’s term from 1994-1995.
Survivors include two sons, Freddie Lee (Deborah) Dunn Jr. of Atlanta, Georgia, and Carl Dexter (Rosa) Dunn of Gaithersburg, Maryland; five grandchildren, Freddie Lee (Delilah) Dunn III, Desirae Thelet Dunn, Kevin Prescott (Lindsey) Dunn, Gregory Michael (Katondra) Dunn and Carl D. Dunn; two great-grandchildren, Owen Prescott Dunn and Maya Michelle Rose Dunn; one sister, Della M. Thomas of Lake Charles; one brother, Bervic B. (Verdie) Johns Sr. of Chicago, Illinois; three godchildren, Brenda Arvie, Darryl Davis and Sharon Stephens; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Freddie L. Dunn Sr.; her mother, Doffus Fields; her father, Zeno Johns; and three sisters, Bertha Jo Johns Davis, Helen Grace Frank and Gladys Deshotel.
Visitation will be observed from 10 a.m., until 12 noon, Friday, March 18, at Ninth Missionary Baptist Church in Ville Platte.
Rev. Darwan T. Lazard will officiate.
Williams Funeral Home of Ville Platte will be in charge of arrangements.