Mary Belle Elam Dunfee

Mary Belle Elam Dunfee of Powhatan, VA was born in Mecklenburg County, VA on January 9, 1937 and passed away on October 1, 2025 at the age of 88. She was the daughter of the late Robert and Bernice Elam. She is also preceded in death by her first husband, Charles “Charlie” Dickerson; son. Bruce Dickerson; sisters Eva Elam Dobbins of Charlotte CH, VA and Betty Elam Harris of Lynchburg, VA.

Mary was a lover of flowers and enjoyed showing them off. She worked at various businesses in Powhatan. She would often be seen at Charlie’s Union 76 at Academy Road where her husband ran the station, May’s Supermarket, Dollar General, and Flat Rock Cleaner’s. She enjoyed quilting and sewing. She could make or fix anything and did alterations from her home for many, even up until the morning she passed away she was hemming several pairs of pants for someone.

She’s survived by her husband Gary L. Dunfee, Sr., daughter Jean “Carol” Dickerson Lawson of Powhatan, granddaughters Amanda “Mandy” Lawson Grubbs (Michael) of Sandy Hook, VA and Rachel Lawson of Powhatan, VA and 2 great-grandchildren, Matthew Grubbs and Maelynn Grubbs of Sandy Hook, VA. She always enjoyed visits from Dennis Ireland of WV (Gary’s cousin).

The family will receive friends at Bennett & Barden Funeral Home, 3215 Anderson Highway, Powhatan, VA on Monday, October 6 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Service will be held on Tuesday, October 7 at 2:00 p.m. with David Slayton officiating. Graveside services will be at Red Lane Baptist Church, 2095 Red Lane Road, Powhatan, VA.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Amelia Baptist Church, 9101 Amelia Street, Amelia Court House, VA 23002 in her memory.