Rosa Lee Dunn

Rosa Lee "Rosie" Dunn, 85, of Cleveland, TN passed away peacefully on September 19, 2025. She was born on November 28, 1939 to the late Eugene and Erma McDowell in Maysville, Kentucky.

Rosie was a successful entrepreneur who owned and operated many businesses. She opened Rosie Dunn's Restaurant, Cleveland's first "Meat & Three" in the early 70s. She also owned and operated a transportation and car hauling business for many years and most recently drove a bus for SETHRA until she was 80 years old. Rosie was a softball player early in life and also worked as an umpire for many years. She was an avid Rook player, playing with friends each week as well as being a part of the Clingan Ridge Quilters. She was a member of Waterville Baptist Church and attended Clingan Ridge Baptist Church for many years. She was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

In addition to her mother and father, she is preceded in death by her sons Tony McDowell and Kevin Dunn; brothers Bill McDowell, Bob McDowell, and Jim McDowell; sisters: Barbara Tootle and Bertha Preston.

She leaves behind to cherish her memory her three daughters: Patty Cooper (Marc) of Powell, TN, Robin Dobbins of Ringgold, GA, and Michelle Denton (Terry) of Charleston, TN; grandchildren: Josh Denton (Jennifer), Sheree Layne, Marc Aaron Cooper II, and Katerra Cannon; great grandchildren: McKenna Denton, Harper Hitson, Emory Cannon, and Boston Layne. In addition to these she leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members and friends.

Rosie's family will receive friends from 1pm until 3pm on Tuesday September 23rd at the "Ridge" Chapel of Companion Funeral & Cremation Service located at 2412 Georgetown Road NW, Cleveland, TN 37311. A celebration of Rosie's life will be held at 3pm at the chapel with Chuck Preston and Pastor Rodney Bice officiating. She will be laid to rest at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens following the service.

You are invited to share a personal memory of Rosie or your condolences with her family at her online memorial locate at www.companionfunerals.com. Companion Funeral & Cremation Service and the Cody family are honored to assist the Dunn family with these arrangements.