Brenda Dunn Watson

Sunset Memorial Park
Funeral Home and Crematory, LLC
1700 Barrington Rd. Midland City, AL
(334) 983-6604
Robert and Toni Byrd

www.SunsetMemorialPark.com

Brenda Dunn Watson, 71, left this earth for her heavenly home on September 26 at her son’s home surrounded by husband, children, brother and dear friends. She passed peacefully after a very brief illness.

Brenda was preceded in death by her parents William Grady and Mary Faye Holder Dunn.

Brenda is survived by Paul, her husband of 51 years, her daughter Melissa Leigh, son Jeffrey Paul (Amy) of Dothan, AL and son Andrew Dunn (Stacy) of Fairhope, AL; grandchildren Anna Grace, William Walker, William Paul and Sailor Elizabeth; brother, Gary Dunn, of Ft Lauderdale, Fl./ Ogunquit, ME.; in-laws, Wayne Morgan Dykes, Sr. (Sue), Tallassee, AL; nephews, Wayne Morgan Dykes, Jr. (Sara) of Atlanta, GA and John Dykes, Victor, ID.

Brenda was born in Troy, AL but moved to Andalusia at an early age where she resided through her junior year of high school, except for brief periods when her father was in service in the US Navy. She and her mother lived with grandparents in Pike County and later in Adak, AK.

After graduating from Dothan High School in 1961 she attended Auburn University, graduating in 1964 after marrying Paul and giving birth to Melissa. She began her career teaching at Girard Junior High, followed by a stint as a social worker. She then earned an RN degree from Wallace Community College and worked at a local hospital and later in a kidney dialysis clinic in Dothan. Looking for further advancement in a profession, she attended Jones School of Law, earning her Juris Doctorate degree in 1986.

Her law career began as an Associate in the State Attorney General’s Office where she reviewed appellate briefs. She was recruited by the Montgomery County District Attorney’s office where she was an active prosecutor for a number of years handling domestic violence cases. Later she opened her own Law Practice earning the reputation of being a tough litigator and willing to take on cases pro-bono if clients had few resources. This was in a time when few female lawyers were comfortable in courtroom adversarial arguments.

After moving to Tallahassee, FL with her husband in 2002, she retired from the practice of law. There she began taking sewing classes and became an accomplished seamstress making heirloom dresses and gowns for granddaughters and other family.

Brenda enjoyed flower gardening and was an avid reader, encouraging her grandchildren in these activities. She shared her love of reading and learning with her children and grandchildren, even pre-reading books for approval for Providence Christian School library.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to The Wiregrass Hope Group of Dothan, AL, The House of Ruth, Dothan Alabama, or to the charity of your choice.

A celebration of life ceremony will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, September 29 at First Presbyterian Church, Dothan, AL, with a reception in the fellowship hall following the service.

Robert Byrd of Sunset Funeral Home, (334) 983-6604, is in charge of arrangements. Please call us or visit www.SunsetMemorialPark.com for more information.