Mother Delores Joann Dunlap

Early Christmas morning, December 25, 2023, the trumpet sounded for Mother Delores Joann Dunlap and the Lord called his loving, faithful servant home.

Mother Delores J. Dunlap was born April 10, 1936 the fourth child to the union of Ida B. Dennie and Ransom Dunlap. After the passing of Ida B., her father Ransom married Sister Mary Jane Beard, both preceded her in death. Also, preceding her in death was her daughter: Dorothy A. Dunlap; Grandson: Wilbur Brown III; Sisters: Evelyn M. Foster, Lena B. Dunlap, Nell C. Byrd and most recently Mary A. Dunlap. Devoted Best friends: Christine Howse and Andrea Gilliam.

Mother Delores Dunlap was educated in the Nashville Davidson County School System. An active, athletically inclined student, she played basketball for Washington Junior High School.

Mother Delores was baptized in Jesus name at Greater Christ Temple Church, Nashville, TN under the pastorate of the late Mother Lena Robinson and received the gift of the Holy Ghost on December 14, 1975. During her Christian journey she was led to unite with New Season Church on January 1, 2017 under the leadership of Pastor Dwayne Lewis. She was intentional about her relationship with God; doing all things heartily as to the Lord, knowing that her reward would come from God whom she served (Colossians 3:23-24 ref.).

She was always ready to serve in the kingdom of God, whether through greeting individuals as they walked in the door as a part of the usher board or preparing and serving a delicious meal. Mother Delores was very instrumental in the hospitality committee as well as the culinary staff at New Season Church. Every Sunday morning until her sickness, Mother Delores prepared breakfast for Sunday school.  She was always willing and available to prepare dishes for the community outreaches. She loved her pastor and Lady Alexis Lewis! Wherever Pastor Lewis went to preach the Word, she was there! She is remembered by her church family as one that always gave an encouraging word in her soft spoken voice with amazing hugs! She loved to praise and worship the Lord! She was a woman of God after God’s own heart and will truly be missed by her New Season Church family.

Mother Delores was gainfully employed with Metro Board of Education for over 21 years of service until retirement. An entrepreneur with a keen business sense, her employment history includes her time as the owner and CEO of a thriving Home Day Care for children ages 5 years and under.

She was a much-loved treasure. In the church arena she was the revered, relatable and adored, Mother Dunlap, a true Mother of the church giving words of advice and wisdom, she was a member of the Mother’s board. To her family and many of her friends she was Aunt Lois. Aunt Lois was always the auntie that you could without reservation pull up to her house and get a meal whether you were hungry or not, she would make sure that you ate something before you left her house. Aunt Lois was real with you no matter what the situation was. She was very transparent with you, a genuine confidante - if you ever came to talk to her you never had to worry about hearing that conversation repeated by others. She was the auntie you could always “cut up” with and everybody loved to cut up with Aunt Lois. She was a spot-on fashionista.  If you were bold enough to challenge her about who looked the best in their “wardrobe of choice” she was quick to let you know “you don’t look better than me”.  She would flash that slight smile followed by that confident chuckle, put her hands on her hips and you both bowed over with laughter. Aunt Lois loved her family and everybody loved their Aunt Lois!

Leaving to cherish her memories, children: Barbara A. Dunlap; Fredrick E. Dunlap; Alice L. Dunlap; Thomas L. Dunlap; Chetika E. Dunlap and Rosalind (Fredrick) Roland. Grandchildren: Scelena Courtney; Darrin (Leann) Mathis; Nicole (Greg) Golden; Shakina (Barry) Baker; Dakia (Tonya) Hayes; Delores A. Nolen and Dominique L. Dunlap; Devoted great granddaughters: Kyfaria and Kymiyah Wagner; 22 great grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren; two devoted friends: Martha Overton and Judy Hughes, a host of other family members, friends and the New Season Church Family.