Alfred Allen Dunbar

Alfred Allen Dunbar, Sr., 85, of Rocky Mount, NC was called home by his Heavenly Father on Tuesday, September 16, 2014. He was born on October 21, 1928 in Pungo, NC to the late Bennie and Estelle Dunbar of Pungo and also of Rocky Mount. Alfred was preceded in death by his loving wife of 52 years, Eunice Blanton Dunbar; his son, Alfred Allen Dunbar, Jr.; and his brother Benjamin Dunbar, assuring a much beloved eternal family reunion. Alfred moved to Rocky Mount at age sixteen after his graduation from Pantego High School. He was employed by Atlantic Coastline Railroad/Seaboard Coastline Railroad, until his retirement as the General Foreman in charge of all Mechanical Forces after forty years of dedicated service. He also served in the United States Army for two years during the Korean War. Alfred was an admired and respected member of the Rocky Mount community, “Big Al” as he was also called was an outstanding athlete in high school and continued a life-long love for sports. He coached small fry baseball, won many medals in the NC Senior Games, and was an avid golfer who enjoyed a daily round of golf as much as possible. As a member of Birchwood Country Club in Nashville, NC, he was known for making “a hole in one” twice in the same year. He was a dedicated member of his church, Ridgecrest Worship Center, where he and Eunice established and faithfully served on a committee to greet and welcome attendees each week with hand-shakes and warm hugs. His greatest pleasure was spending time with his family, enjoying both at-home gatherings and distant vacations. He also traveled back to his high school reunion for many years and looked forward to catching up with old friends. Alfred was an exceptional husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and brother and will be greatly missed by those who knew him and loved him most. Left to cherish his memory are his daughters Carissa Dunbar Benfield and husband Bill, of Rocky Mount; Jill Dunbar Pike and husband Ken of Youngsville, NC; sister, Mary Alice Dunbar Narron of Rocky Mount; sister, Pearl Dunbar Hathaway of Southern Pines, NC; daughter-in-law, Norma Luper Stockhowe and husband George of Chesapeake, VA; grandchildren Ashlie Benfield Moser and husband Jason of Rocky Mount; Bradley Benfield of Columbia, SC; Meredith Dunbar Overstreet and husband, Michael of Alameda, CA; Joshua Alfred Dunbar of Chesapeake, VA; Nathan and Caleb Pike of Youngsville; great-grandchildren Ava Benfield, Cody and Collin Moser; and many loving nieces and nephews. The family expresses their deepest appreciation to his many friends, Ridgecrest Worship Center family, and United Hospice for their overwhelming love and support that was shown during his time of illness. A celebration of his life will be held at Ridgecrest Worship Center on Saturday, September 20, 2014 at 2:00 PM with Rev. Kelly Shope and Rev. Tony Bossolono officiating. Visitation will be held 12:30 - 2:00 PM prior to the service at the church. Burial will follow at Rocky Mount Memorial Park Mausoleum. Flowers will be accepted as well as contributions in his memory can be made to Ridgecrest Worship Centers Benevolence Fund 1120 West Mount Drive, Rocky Mount, NC 27803. Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com. Visitation Location Not Available Saturday 9/20, 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm Service Location Not Available Saturday 9/20, 2:00 pm Cemetery Rocky Mount Memorial Park 4454 Dortches Blvd., Hwy 43 Rocky Mount, NC 27804