Royce L. (Russ) Dunham

Royce L. (Russ) Dunham , age 87, died peacefully at home on Tuesday, October 12, 2021. Russ was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee; he was the son of the late James Herman and Edna Jones Dunham. As a young man, Russ lived in Oak Ridge, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Nashville, and Memphis while he was employed by Sherwin-Williams. In 1972, he moved to LaFollette with his wife Betty and their two daughters, where he worked alongside his father-in-law at Shelby’s Grocery. Later, he and Betty became the owners of Letter Craft Stamp and Engraving, where they worked side by side for 20 years. Russ lived in LaFollette for 42 years, where he was an active member of LaFollette First Baptist Church. For the past 8 years, he lived in Knoxville and attended Central Baptist Church Bearden. Russ enjoyed people, always had a ready joke, and loved to serve his neighbors by mowing their yards. He is preceded in death by his siblings: brother, James Dunham and sisters, Avis Ray and Agnes Dunham.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Betty Ruth Shelby Dunham; daughter, Beth (Barry) Nelson of Nashville; daughter, Susan (Tim) Tucker of Knoxville; grandsons, Seth and Reed Tucker; and nieces, Geraldine Blankenship of Smithville and Candace Dunham of Nashville.

Friends are invited to visit with the family in the chapel of Walters Funeral Home in LaFollette on Sunday, October 17, from 12-2pm; graveside services and interment to follow at Bakers Forge Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations made to the Carson Newman University Scholarship Fund.  Online condolences for Mr. Dunham may be made at www.waltersfuneralhome.net.  Walters Funeral Home of LaFollette is honored to be serving the family of Royce L. (Russ) Dunham.