Mr. Linwood Russell Dunn

Mr. Linwood Russell Dunn May 24, 1924 - July 19, 2022 OBITUARY Mr. Linwood Russell Dunn, 98, of Petersburg, Virginia, our beloved cousin and friend, peacefully slipped into eternal rest at Battlefield Park Healthcare Center early Tuesday morning, July 19, 2022. A native of Petersburg, Virginia, he was born May 24, 1924, as the only child of Mrs. Bessie Dunn Jones. He was raised by his grandmother, Mrs. Mamie Dunn, in the home of his aunt and uncle, Mrs. Flossie (Dunn) and Mr. Luther Trotter, Sr. This home was filled with love, where he enjoyed being raised alongside his cousins, Luther, Jr., Arlene, and Madelyn Trotter. He was also raised by his aunt, Miss Rosa E. Dunn, who was devoted to all her sisters' children. Mr. Dunn attended Petersburg Public Schools and left high school prior to graduating to enlist in the United States Army and fought in World War II. He was a staunch advocate of education and completed his GED while in the Army. After the conclusion of his military service, Mr. Dunn was employed at Titmus Optical, Inc., Petersburg, Virginia, until completed his training in Instruction and Practice and was hired at Central State Hospital, Petersburg, Virginia. He started out as a psychiatric attendant in 1960 and ascended through many roles, with increasing responsibility. He received a certificate of appreciation, recognizing 20-years of service to Central State Hospital and he was again recognized in 1989, after 29 years of faithful service. In May 1989, he retired and received yet another honor, his certificate of retirement from the State of Virginia, Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, as it was known at the time. Mr. Dunn met the love of his life, Miss Polly Spratley, at a church social at First Baptist Church and they were married by Reverend W. W. Roberts at First Baptist Church on April 24, 1948. They remained married for 58 years, until her passing in December 2006. Although this union produced no children, they loved and nurtured many, providing encouragement and guidance to family members and children from the neighborhood alike. They affectionately referred to all these children as "their own" and opened their home to them for meals and gatherings. Mr. Dunn will be remembered for many qualities and hobbies. He was an impeccable dresser and was known to spit shin his shoes every Saturday night before bed. He also loved to walk his beloved city, often parking his car at a distance so that he could complete his visits and errands on foot. Mr. Dunn really loved going to the movies, frequenting Gem and Barney's ("The Bug House"), on most Saturdays and would be there when it opened and stay most of the day. Linwood was a proud man who strove to be a positive example of others. In 1952 he became the first in the family to purchase a home. This home was located on Luke Street and was purchased using funds provided by the GI Bill. Linwood and Polly took pride in making their home pretty and it was the meeting place for family and friends to gather. Mr. Dunn had a special style and was the consummate conversationalist. He could carry on a conversation with anyone and was the personification of the expression "never met a stranger". This trait served him especially well during his 13 years in residence at the Battlefield Healthcare Center. There he would talk to staff and residents about many topics and was always polite and said, "thank you" to others, making him a long-time favorite of the staff, residents, and visitors. Mr. Dunn was a God-fearing man and faithful member of First Baptist Church for over 75 years, serving the church in various capacities. He will be most remembered for his service with the Usher Board for which he received a 50-years of service award in May 1998, during the Annual Usher's Day Celebration. Mr. Dunn was preceded in death by his loving and devoted wife, Mrs. Polly Dunn; mother, Mrs. Bessie Dunn Jones; grandmother, Mrs. Mamie Dunn; cousins (who were more like siblings), Mr. Luther H. Trotter, Jr., Mrs. Arlene Trotter (James) Hill, and Mrs. Madelyn Trotter Richardson; aunts and second mothers, Miss Rosa E. Dunn and Mrs. Flossie Dunn; and uncle, Mr. Luther H. Trotter, Sr. He leaves to cherish his memory devoted cousin, Gladys Hill (Hugh, Sr.) Scott of Lansing, Michigan; many family, Angela Richardson Williams of Clayton, North Carolina, Barbara A. Trotter, Felicia M. A. Hill, Donald Richardson, Jr., Milton H. Richardson, Jr., all of Petersburg, Virginia, Wayne Ricardo Hill of Richmond, Virginia, LeShauna Richardson Raines of Louisville, Kentucky, Hugh M. Scott, Jr. and Luther H. Trotter, III, of Los Angeles, California, Dr. Jamil B. Scott of Silver Spring, Maryland, Benjamin J. Scott of Lansing, Michigan, Joshua (Sophia) Hawkins-Hill of Pensacola, Florida, James Tall, Jr. of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Dericson Tall of Toledo, Ohio; and friends and dedicated First Baptist Church members, Carolyn Spratley, Reverend Neal Young, Deacon Daniel Todd, and Deacon Leroy Lane, who visited before and during the pandemic. A Homegoing Service will be held on Tuesday, July 26, 2022 at 11:00 A.M. at First Baptist Church, 236 Harrison St., Petersburg, VA with the Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Tillman, Pastor, officiating. Interment will follow at Dinwiddie Memorial Park, Dinwiddie, VA. Public viewing will be Monday, July 25, 2022 from 12:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M. Family and friends will assemble at 10:00 A.M. at the Hill House, 1024 Augusta, Ave., Petersburg, VA on the day of service. Final Care and Compassionate Services are being provided to the family by the professional staff of Tucker & Fisher Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 415 Halifax St., Petersburg, VA (804)324-5529.