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- [S74] Atchley Funeral Home Records, Volume IV, 1987-1999, Larry D. Fox, (Smoky Mountain Historical Society), 1 Jun 1993.
Aaron Holiday Valentine obituary
- [S4] Knoxville News-Sentinel (Tennessee), 13 Jun 2009.
DUNSMORE, DAVID DAYNE - age 66, went home to be with the Lord on June 11, 2009 after a long battle with Pick's Disease, a form of dementia similar to Alzheimer's. He was born January 11, 1943 in Claiborne County to the late Louie and Beatrice Dunsmore. Along with his brother Billy and his sister Beth, the family moved to Knoxville in 1960 where Dayne graduated from Powell High School in 1961. The family traveled all over the eastern part of the country singing gospel music as "The Dunsmore Family" and then later as "The Dunsmores." After his mother's death, Dayne continued the group until being forced to retire in 2006 due to his illness. He was an accomplished singer, musician and songwriter, and his dedication to the music ministry to which he was called was unparalleled. Dayne was preceded in death by his parents, Louie Clifford Dunsmore and Jewel Beatrice Simmons Dunsmore, as well as his brother, Billy Dunsmore just a few months ago in December 2008. He was a member of Emory Pike American Christian Church in Halls for over 40 years and was the Choir Director in recent years until his illness made that impossible. Dayne worked at Plasti-Line, Inc. from 1965 to 2002 where he was laid off work after 37 years of service. He is survived by wife of 44 years, Gale Valentine Dunsmore; daughters and sons-in-law, Kim and Artie Davis and Kristi and Bill "Pig" Ballew; grandchildren, Logan Davis and Hannah Ballew; sister and brother-in-law, Beth and Wayne Neely; sister-in-law, Bobbie Ann Dunsmore; nephew, Keith Neely all of Knoxville; nieces, Mitzi Dunsmore James of Louisville, Kentucky and Linda Dunsmore Woody of Glasgow, Kentucky; special caregiver, Mark Hopson who stayed with him daily since July 2007. Dayne will be greatly missed by his family and friends, but also by the band members and singers who stood by him and his family on stage time after time to proclaim the Lord's gospel in song. Especially noted: Mark Mink, who played different instruments for the band for over 20 years and was like a son to Dayne and to the late Bill Dunsmore, who after being an evangelist for over 30 years came back to Knoxville and began singing again with Dayne until illness took over. He leaves behind a legacy of gospel music and a life well spent witnessing for Jesus Christ. The family wishes to thank our home churches of Emory Pike Church, Dante Baptist Church and Glen Oaks Baptist Church and all the other churches who helped them through this difficult illness; the doctors and staff at Family Care Specialists where Gale works, for their support and understanding, as well as the wonderful hospice staff from St. Mary's Hospice Program. Funeral service will be held 8 pm Sunday, June 14th at Mynatt Funeral Home in Halls with Rev. Kevin Roberts, Rev. Mike Atkins and Rev. Coy Mink officiating. Music will be Dunsmore recordings. Family and friends will meet 10:45 am Monday, June 15th at Emory Pike American Christian Church cemetery for an interment service at 11 am with Rev. Dallas Harrell to officiate. Pallbearers will be past band and group members. Family will receive friends 5 to 8 pm Sunday at Mynatt Funeral Home-Halls Chapel. www.mynattfh.com
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