Paul Dunivant's Obituary
Paul Dunivant, age 88, a lifetime resident of Memphis and Millington, was called home to rejoin his wife, Frances, on January 23. He passed peacefully, in his sleep, with members of his family surrounding him. A veteran of WWII, he was awarded the Purple Heart for a lifetime disability from injuries he received in Breast, France. Upon returning to civilian life he returned to his job as a machinist at Layne & Bowler Pump Company. He retired as a Tool maker in 1986. He is preceded in death by his parents, W.M. and Annie Dunivant, his sister Novelle Campbell and his wife of 65 years, Frances (Wilder) of Millington. He is survived by a sister, Moselle Luhm of Memphis, daughter Paula Ditto (Jim) of Hernando, Mississippi and a son Col (ret-USAF) Ed Dunivant (Norma) of Louisville, Kentucky. His grandchildren are Allen Ditto (Nashville, Tennessee), Dr. Jessica Ditto (Clinton, Mississippi), Kim Dunivant (Knoxville, Tennessee) and Laurie (Eric) Larsen (Maple Valley, Washington). Many will remember Paul for his activities as a Deacon, Music Director and Director of Sunday School at Highland Heights Baptist Church. During the 60’s and 70’s, he also led outreach missions to the Shelby County Penal Farm and various rescue missions in the Memphis area. Because of his love for singing, he participated in numerous Baptist revivals in the Memphis area as a Music Director. In his elder years, he became a member of the First Baptist Church of Millington. Known for their zest for life, he and Frances moved to Millington in the mid 60’s where they maintained a small farm for 40 years. Their home was a regular visiting place for their many friends who were usually invited for dinner. A love for miniature horses and miniature mules became his passion. He became known in the Millington area for the many wagons and harness sets he made for all his little horses. Over the years, he was regularly seen on the roads near Shelby Forest driving six-horse teams with his Christian Flag flying from an antenna on his wagon. One of the covered wagons he built was driven from California to Washington, D.C. in a Bi-centennial miniature mule train in 1996. The children and grandchildren of Paul would like to thank the staff and residents of Wesley Meadows Retirement Community of Hernando, Mississippi who embraced Paul during the past three years. After the death of his beloved Frances, he moved to Wesley Meadows as a resident of the independent living and then assisted living community. The quality of his care was first rate. As his health failed, The Unity Hospice Care group of Olive Branch, Mississippi, provided able and caring assistance for the family. Visitation will be from 6PM- 8PM on Monday, January 25. The funeral will be on Tuesday, January 26, at 1:00 PM at Memorial Park Gardens Funeral Home, 5668 Poplar Avenue, Memphis. Visitation- 1 hour prior to funeral. Interment, with military honors, will be immediately following the funeral. In lieu of flowers please send donations to: Wesley Meadows Retirement Community, 1325 McIngvale Road, Hernando, Ms, 38632 OR Unity Hospice Care, 6819 Crumpler Blvd, Olive Branch, MS, 38654.
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