MONTA JO SEALE DUNN
This year’s extraordinary Easter season became even more memorable when our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, welcomed Monta Jo Seale Dunn, 90, into His presence and her eternal home. She has long been His daughter, her family’s Mom and Mimmie and a treasured friend to legions.
Monta shared love and joy, knowledge and wisdom, gentle nurturing and spontaneous laughter, fierce loyalty, wit and candor and even a few surprises among everyone who claimed her as “mine!” She was born on June 14, 1931 to parents, David Allen Seale and Mary Glazener Seale in her grandparents’ home in Fairfield. A mere 90 years later, on April 17, she left this life from her own home, in Christ and His peace, with her children and grandchildren at her side.
Mom grew up in Teague. Her childhood was enriched by her brothers and many aunts, uncles and friends and most especially by her loving and wonderful parents. She graduated from Teague High School in 1944 and, in 1951, received a Bachelor of Business Administration with a minor in education from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville. College life suited her! She spoke often and fondly of memories made there.
An avid learner and always one to employ what she learned, Mom soon began to teach high school students in Fairfield. But the one person who continually captivated her thoughts was James Ira Dunn, Jr., whom she met years earlier when he and his family moved from Jewett to Teague. They began dating when she was a junior in high school, and he, a smitten senior. They married in 1953 at the First Baptist Church in Teague, they shared 50 wonderful years of marriage.
In 1954, Monta and Jimmy found themselves headed to Houston. Jimmy had been accepted to the University of Texas Dental School. Monta taught at Lamar Elementary until the birth of their first child, a precious daughter, Vicki Lyn, on July 31, 1957. The following year, James Dunn Jr, DDS scooped up Monta and Vicki, returned them all to Teague, and set about establishing Dunn family life and career. The family was blessed again when their son, David, was born on April 8, 1961. The dental career flourished as well. Jimmy joined his father and together they practiced for three special years. He would proudly continue to practice dentistry for a total of 18 years in Teague.
A woman of substance and boundless energies, Monta was always active in her children’s education, serving as room mother, PTA president, and board member of the Teague Independent School District. Somehow, she also found time to assist her husband in his dental practice. The Dunn home was always filled with friends, pets of all kinds, delicious food and fun. Monta was always the port in a storm to her husband, children, grandchildren and numerous friends.
She loved her Lord with all of her heart, often hosting bible studies in their home. She also taught Sunday School at the First United Methodist Church and served in many capacities at the churches in each town that was, for a time, home. God gifted Vicki and David’s mom with an array of talents and specialties, which kept them in awe. In 1986, she and Jimmy built a Texas farmhouse on their ranch in Jewett. Monta’s contribution was to design the house and oversee construction! Six years later in 1992, Jimmy and Monta purchased a second home in Houston. They joined Second Baptist Church and, to no one’s surprise, became an avid, integral part of the second family, beloved by many. Throughout her life, Monta cared deeply and communicated timely. She was the consummate caretaker to many in her family and to a number of friends in various seasons of their need.
Monta is survived by daughter, Vicki Lyn Mc-Spadden and son, James David Dunn, both of Cypress; grandchildren, Major Patrick James McSpadden USAF, Plymouth MA and Mary Jo Johnson, Cypress; great-grandsons, Mac Johnson and Hudson Johnson, Cypress; sister-in-law, Joyce Langston Seale, Deming NM; brothers Robert David Seale and wife, Dottie, Katy; and Michael Henry Seale and wife, Cindy, Sugar Land. She is also survived by two nieces, five nephews, and special friends, Margarita Ibarra, Willie Langston, Don and Dena Houchin and Dr. Guenther Feigl.
She was predeceased by her husband Dr. James Ira Dunn Jr, parents Allen and Mary Seale, in-laws Dr. James Ira Dunn, Sr. and Lillian Dunn, brother Rev. Edwin Allen Seale and son-in-law Dr. Pat McSpadden.
At Monta’s request there will be no formal church service. She desired a private ceremony with her children and grandchildren in attendance. She will be laid to rest beside her husband in Greenwood Cemetery in Teague. Reverend Marcus Sheffield of First Baptist Church, Mexia will officiate. Bowers Funeral Home of Teague is providing arrangements.
For those wishing to honor Monta’s life, the family requests memorials be made to the Christian orphanage Monta and her family have supported for many years: New Life Advance International, P.O. Box 903 Stafford, TX 77497. Please mark donations “Monta Dunn Memorial Gift”. HTTPs://nlai.org/ give/support-nlch
To Second Baptist Church, 6400 Woodway Drive Houston, TX 77057 second.org/give
Or to the charity of one’s choice.
Please visit our website at www.bowersfuneralhome.net to sign the memorial guestbook or to leave a message for the family.
Bowers Funeral Home 900 U.S. Hwy 84 West Teague, Texas 75860 254-739-2511
