WILMINGTON — Elizabeth Harriss Dunn, affectionately known as “E,” died peacefully at home in Wilmington on July 8, 2024, at the age of 70.
She was born on November 30, 1953, the daughter of William Herbert “Bill” Dunn, who died of a heart attack when she was 6 years old, and Elizabeth Harriss “Beth” Sprunt.
E graduated from Cape Fear Academy then attended Stratford College in Danville, VA, before returning to Wilmington.
She had a variety of jobs, including bartending at the original Red Dogs at Wrightsville Beach when it first opened, managing the ticket office at Thalian Hall, working at Farmer’s Supply Company, assisting in local movie productions, working for Dr. Dewey Bridgers, and a stint as an EMT.
E was a compassionate, sentimental, and considerate person. She was especially known for her sense of humor and delightful laugh. But, her true passion was her love of her animals, too many to list.
She enjoyed her youth at St. James Parish, but later felt a true sense of peace at her beloved St. Jude’s Metropolitan Community Church. She was a deacon, reader, volunteer at the food pantry, and instrumental in establishing a memorial garden, where she will be the first person to be memorialized.
In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her stepfather Laurence Gray Sprunt, Uncle Murdoch MacRae “Muck” Dunn, Aunt Ann Burr Dunn Bridgers, and Uncle Raymond Hardy Holland.
She is survived by her siblings, Annie Gray Sprunt and partner Michael Cain and David Sprunt and wife Wesie and her dearly loved nephew and nieces – Edward Holt, Annie Gray Holt, Margaret Sprunt, Louise Sprunt and Virginia Sprunt. She is also survived by her Aunt Virginia Holland and Aunt Peggy Anne Vaughan (Roland), and first cousins Crae Dunn (Lynn), Freddy Dunn, Hardy Holland (John Moody), Virginia Brewer (Joe), Liza Williams (Joel), Harris Vaughan (Ashley), and countless Hoggard cousins whom she adored. She is also survived by her two best friends, Ann Friedrich and Carol Leininger.
A funeral service will be held Thursday, July 18th at 11:30 a.m. at St. Jude’s Metropolitan Community Church with a reception to follow in the fellowship hall. Officiating will be Reverend John McLaughlin.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude’s, 19 N. 26th Street, Wilmington, NC 28405, or to a charity of one’s choice.
