Elmer Dunbar, Sr.

On Monday, July 19, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. Home Going Services will be held for the great living legend, Mr. Elmer Dunbar, Sr. of 735 Ryan Lane, Greencastle, PA. His SUNRISE into the world was March 14, 1929 Manchester, New Hampshire. He was the son of the late Ms. Nellie Mae Dunbar. His SUNSET from this world was Wednesday, July 7, 2021 at age 94. According to Psalms 90:10 he lived his threescore years (60), and ten (70), ‘and if by reason of strength’ he lived fourscore years (80) and 14 years on his fifth score (100) DUE TO GOD’S GRACE AND MERCY. WOW!!! Dr. Martin Luther King said, ‘LONGEVITY HAS ITS PLACE’. He lived a life dedicated to GOD, CHURCH, and FAMILY.

In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by his first wife of 62 years, the beautiful Mrs. Ellen Imogene Sullivan Dunbar (April 22, 1932 - February 10, 2009, age 76). She was from Greenville, South Carolina, one brother, Mr. Ralph Dunbar, two daughters, Shirley Dunbar Jackson, and Clover Dunbar, his father and mother-in-law, Mr. & Mrs. David, II ‘June’ Sullivan and Plummer Luster Sullivan, Greenville, S.C., five brothers-in-law, Mr. Allen Charles ‘AC’ Sullivan, and Mr. David ‘Boot Sullivan, III, both of Greenville, S.C., Mr. William Henry Cruell, Sr. and Mr. Fred Jackson, Sr., both of Philadelphia, PA., and Mr. Oscar Cureton, Greenville, S.C.

He was also preceded in death by six sisters-in-law, Mrs. Marie Sullivan Jackson and Mrs. Thomasena Sullivan Cruell, both of Philadelphia, PA., Twin Mrs. Polly Sullivan Washington, Columbus, Ohio, Twin Mrs. Molly Sullivan, Mrs. Loretta Sullivan, and Mrs. Dorothy Brock Sullivan, all three of Greenville, S.C. He was also preceded in death by eight (8) nieces and three nephews.

Left to cherish his great life and legacy are his 2nd wife whom he married March 31, 2019, the beautiful Mrs. Charlene Maxwell Anderson Dunbar, RN, of the home, two sons, Educator/Pro Athlete, Mr. Allen Dunbar (Valleria), Agawam, MA., Hospital Founder Dr. Elmer Dunbar, Jr. (Delores), Prospect, KY., 12 grandchildren, Brian, Anthony, Carmen, and Standria Jackson and Troy, Tori, Ryan, Egypt, Chad, and Daniel Dunbar; and a very special grandson caretaker, Mr. Koran Dunbar, granddaughter Eve Dunbar whom both lived with Elmer and Ellen, 3 great grandchildren, one son and daughter by way of his 2nd marriage, Pastor Brent Anderson (Anna) who has 7 children, and Mrs. Bethene Middleton (Todd) who has 3 children. He leaves 16 nephews, 11 beautiful nieces, also leaves a host of great nieces, great nephews, and Dunbar, Sullivan, Luster, and McCullough relatives and friends.

EDUCATION - he was a graduate of Northern High School in Manchester, New Hampshire. He was a graduate of the CACKS Program (now Southern New Hampshire University). He taught English and French to Canadians through interfacing.

EMPLOYMENT - he was employed with Pennacook Tannery where he was a Supervisor and retired after many, many years in his final transfer to Greencastle, PA. He worked briefly as a Mechanic for a Car Dealership in Manchester, N.H.

MILITARY - he served in the United States Air Force and was given an HONORABLE discharge. He experienced and was an eyewitness to President Truman’s desegregation of the Armed Forces.

CHURCH – many years ago he and his first wife, Ellen, joined historic New Forksville Baptist Church, southern Greenville County, S.C. They presented the Church with 2 beautiful Candlebras, and sent their church dues faithfully from Manchester, N.H. to my late Mother, Mrs. Dorothy Humbert, the church clerk. In Manchester he was a member of Grace Episcopal Church where he sang on the Choir and participated in the Drama Ministry. In Greencastle, PA he was a faithful and dedicated member of Hope Reformed Presbyterian Church, Shippensburg, PA, where he was a member of the Senior Citizens Group, Sunday school, and Bible Study Group.

FAVORITES - he loved the passages of Scriptures in the Psalms in the Bible. He loved the colors RED and BLUE. Red was for his love for the Boston Red Sox, and Blue was for his love of the New York Yankees. He loved to eat fish, and fried chicken. His favorite political figures whom he admired were President John F. Kennedy, and President Barack Obama.

PASSIONS - he loved playing the piano, banjo, and baseball, training horses and dogs.

PROUD EXPERIENCE - performing in grandson Koran’s movies, to include, Greencastle and The Ephesian.

FAMILY - he loved all of nieces and nephews, and he had a special fondness for the world renowned concert singer, Myrtle Hall.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, July 19, 2021, at 10 AM in the Harold M. Zimmerman and Son Funeral Home, Inc., 45 S. Carlisle St., Greencastle, PA, where Pastor Brent Anderson will officiate. The family will receive friends on Sunday, July 18 from 6 – 8 PM and one hour prior to the service on Monday in the funeral home. Interment with military honors will follow the service in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Greencastle, PA. Online condolences may be offered at www.zimmermanfh.com. 

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