Carolyn Lee Dunn affectionately known as “Nana” was born on November 15, 1943, to the late Walter and Katie Bryant in Dover, NC.
She was educated in the Craven County Public School System, and thereafter, was employed for almost thirty years as a housekeeper for Allen and Roberta Van Anda. There she helped to raise their son Allen Jr- whom she loved as her own.
While at school, Carolyn met the love of her life, Lee Roy Dunn, with whom she shared her life for 65 years, marrying January 11th, 1971.
Carolyn and Lee Roy settled in Long Branch, NJ in 1960, where they raised their family. God blessed their union with four children Sheila, Rosalind, Gearld and Aja. Carolyn was funny, stylish (everything of course had to match), loved to cook (as Nana would say, her fried chicken and chicken and pastry were “bangin”), and enjoyed crossword puzzles, word searches, Soap Operas and watching the Food Network. But most of all, she was very family oriented and dedicated herself to caring for her home, her husband, her children and her grandchildren. The love she had for her family was always evident in the way she spoke of them and in the way she nurtured and cared for them. Anyone that had the opportunity to meet Carolyn would remember that beautiful smile, fiery personality, loving spirit, and knew she was always ready to "Turn Up and Cut Up". Nana was loved and admired by many. Although her physical presence is no longer with us, we are grateful for our memories and her spirit will forever live within us.
She is predeceased by her parent’s Walter and Katie Bryant, brother, Walter Bryant Jr, sisters Katie Mae and Carmen Bryant, son Gerald Lee Dunn and great-grandson Hassir Bryant.
Carolyn leaves to cherish her memory her husband Lee Roy Dunn, daughters; Sheila Evon Bryant, Rosalind Smith, and Aja Koren Bryant of Long Branch, NJ. Sister Betty Jones (Melvin Jones) of Dover, NC, eleven grandchildren; Tyrheem (Cassundra), Rosalind of Long Branch, NJ; Roney and Carolyn Smith Dover, NC. Darnell, Na’Tosha, Pernell, and Ronell Scott, Robert and Priscilla Bryant (Richard Ruiz); and Kevin Boyd of Long Branch, NJ, Aunts; Barbara (Charles)White, Evelyn Griffin, and Jessie Pompey of Kinston, NC., Mary Edwards of Rocky Mount NC, Niece Gail Lee of Dover, NC ; Sister-in-law Minnie Pearl Oates of Dover, NC, and two Brothers-in-Law; Glennie Dunn of Long Branch, NJ and Henry Dunn of Ayden, NC, a host of great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
