Dessie Ridley Lunsford

Dessie Ridley Lunsford, age 90 died on October 31, 2009. She was born and raised in Lumpkin County. After marriage, she and her husband lived in Suches, Georgia and raised their family. They moved to Dahlonega in 1979. Mrs. Lunsford was a loving wife and mother whose greatest joy was her family. She was a member of Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church in Suches.

Mrs. Lunsford had been a resident of Dogwood Forest Assisted Living facility in Gainesville since March, 2001 and was fortunate to have had the dedicated and loving personal caregivers Ms. Camella Kalu of Stone Mountain, Ms. Kathy Dunlap of Dahlonega, and Hospice of Northeast Georgia. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Andrew (W.A.) Lunsford, Jr., mother Victoria Grizzle Ridley, father Charlie Edward Ridley, brothers Ralph Edward and Charlie Eugene Ridley.

Mrs. Lunsford is survived by her three daughters Betty Lunsford Jones and son-in law Loy Jones of Dahlonega, Shirley Lunsford Davis of Alpharetta, Sue Lunsford Jones and son-in-law Murl Jones of Dahlonega and three grandchildren, Marion Andrew Davis, Amy Jones Dittrich, Julie Davis McCarty and three great grandchildren, Ella Ridley McCarty, Marion Andrew Davis, Jr., and Bailey Ann Dittrich. Mrs. Lunsford is survived by sisters Pearl Ridley Tucker of Dahlonega and Lillie Ridley Wimpy and brother-in-law Edward Wimpy of Hapeville, Georgia, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Lunsford worked for the Bank of Dahlonega for several years before joining the Lumpkin County Department of Family and Children Services. After retirement, she became the Director of the Lumpkin County Housing Authority and served in that capacity for many years. In her long and productive career, Mrs. Lunsford was recognized for her outstanding work in every position she held.
Banister Funeral Home, 2068 Highway 19 North in Dahlonega, is in charge of arrangements.

The family will receive family and friends on Monday, November 2nd from 6 pm until 9 pm at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held at Dahlonega Baptist Church on Tuesday, November 3rd with interment at Dahlonega Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Mrs. Lunsfordâ