Ann Hand Dunbar passed away on Thursday, Nov. 23, 2017.

Ann was born July 30, 1933 in Jackson, Miss.

She enjoyed remembering her childhood in Jackson in the 1930’s and 40’s, with her loving family, uncles, aunts, and cousins; playing with her many wonderful friends; when young children her age would ride the bus to the Jackson Zoo by themselves. Jackson would always be her home.

She attended and was graduated from Central High and Millsaps. She studied theater with Lance Goss, performed in various plays at Millsaps, and always appreciated her English professors there. She was a member of the Chi Omega sorority — and a Pike sweetheart — who loved the dances and get-togethers with her classmates.

She was a beautiful woman, who made her debut with the Debutante Club of Mississippi in 1953.

She met her husband Jack Dunbar at Millsaps. They married and moved to Washington, DC so that Jack could attend Georgetown Law School. While in Washington, both worked for the FBI and were on-the-lookout for J. Edgar Hoover.

After Jack finished law school, they moved to Clarksdale. Ann taught art at four schools in Clarksdale and raised her three young sons.

She returned to Jackson in 1965. She loved interior decoration and fine art. Many will recall her shop, “Ann Dunbar Interiors,” on McWillie Dr. which she opened after returning to Jackson.  The shop name on the rear of her building was visible to drivers on I-55. She also appreciated the opportunity to help many clients with interior decoration of their homes and offices over the years. Her special interests were beautiful wallpapers, drapes, and upholstery.

She found time to perform at The Little Theater of Jackson. She starred in the role of Corrie Bratter in “Barefoot in the Park”, a role her parents thought risque.

Ann was a talented visual artist and portraitist. In particular, her works brought joy and pride to many parents whose children she painted, whose personalities she captured.

Ann has been a loyal member of Christ United Methodist Church in Jackson since 1965. She pinched her sons to behave during services at the former, smaller church on Old Canton Road and regularly attended services at the present location. She loved so many ministers and members there and always greeted them with her joyful and warm smile. She was an early and repeated participant in Cursillo and then its offshoots. She was strengthened in her unconditional and deep faith by Sunday School with York Craig and his “New Yorkers.”

She always looked forward to luncheons with her dear friends in The Recess Club and Meh Lady.

Her parents were Earleen and John G Hand, Jackson citizens from Kemper and Jones County, respectively. She felt so blessed to have them as her parents, and her deep love for them is endless.

She is survived by her younger sister, Sally Colvard (Bill), of Collierville, Tenn. She leaves three sons, and seven grandchildren, she adored: John (Marty), residents of Oxford, Miss; parents of Peter and Andrew; Tom (Mary), of Jackson, Miss; parents of Thomas, Wirt, and Mary; and David (Cindy) of Ridgeland, Miss; parents of Christopher and Charlotte.

She is also survived by her nephew and niece, Chip Reid (Dana) and Jennifer Attaway (Mike).

Ann will be missed by her family and friends, who admired and respected her integrity, responsibility, and essential goodness, among many other things.

The family expresses its sincerest appreciation to Mr. Smith, Ms. Kelly, Ms. Watts, Mr. Locke, the nursing staff, and Ann’s friends, at The Blake in Ridgeland, for so many acts of patience, kindness, love, and caring.