Mercer Britain Dunn

Mercer Britain Dunn, age 93, of Natchitoches, La., passed away Friday, March 14, 2008, at Natchitoches Regional Long Term Care Unit in Natchitoches, La. Arrangements are being handled by Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home in Natchitoches, La., where the family will receive friends from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Sunday, March 16, 2008. The funeral service will be at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home at 10:00 AM Monday, March 17, 2008, with Rev. Jim Shaw and Richard "Doc" Carroll officiating. Interment will be at Memory Lawn Cemetery in Natchitoches, La. Mr. Mercer was born on July 17, 1914 on the Dunn Plantation near Montgomery, La. He enlisted in the Navy in WWII. He served in the Pacific Theater and was involved in several areas of combat including the invasion of Okinawa. He was assigned to the Construction Battalion, more commonly know as the “Sea Bee’s”. Mr. Mercer and his wife Marie were married on February 25, 1939, and were as one for 69 years. Mr. Mercer truly loved the outdoors. He thoroughly enjoyed hunting, fishing, and raising a large garden. He also loved taking care of the landscape around his home and tending to his cattle herd. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Natchitoches, La. He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard Madison “Matt” Dunn and Ether Smith Dunn; four brothers, C.C. Dunn, Griffin Dow Dunn, Marion “Manny” Dunn, Woodrow “Woody” Dunn; and three sisters, Frances Carroll, Arnetta Gravier, and Ouida Storey. He is survived by his wife Marie Dunn; one sister, Donis Miller; two brother-in-law’s, Bill W. Shaw and wife Justine and Melvin H. Shaw; four sister-in-law’s, Mary Dunn, Ruby Neighbors, Kayla Brossett and husband A.L., and Rita Walters; and a host of nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Billy Shaw, John Shaw, Kelly Vigo, Chuck Miller, Bob Storey, and John Langley. Honorary Pallbearers will be Hershal Shaw, Bill Shaw, A.L. Brossett, Bobby Shaw, James Shaw, Richard Shaw, Keith Brossett, Bart Glatt, Joe Bill Cochran, Will Freytag, Wayne Courtney, John Bamonte, John McTyre, and Lloyd Ponder. He will be remembered by all who knew him as a quiet, decent, honorable, and caring man.