Dunn, Lillian (Lillian Burdette Landry), 1888-
Dates
- Existence: 1914-1983
Biographical Note
Lillian Burdette Landry was born February 26, 1888, in Donaldsonville, Louisiana. She was the daughter of the second marriage of Pierre Landry and Florence Simpkins. In 1895, the family moved to New Orleans when her father became presiding elder of the New Orleans District of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Lillian completed high school at Gilbert Academy in 1905, and went on to Wiley College in Marshall, Texas, where she completed the Teachers Normal Course and Music degree in 1906. She became a member of the faculty at Wiley College, where she taught until 1909. She then became a teacher at Haydel Private School in Wallace, Louisiana.
In 1910, Lillian was asked by her father to read his annual report to the Methodist Conference. There she met Reverend Henderson H. Dunn, her future husband of forty-five years. They were married December 28, 1910. Reverend Dunn was pastor of Central Congregational Church in New Orleans, Louisiana. Lillian soon joined Central Congregational in March 1911 and she served the church as an organist, solo singer in the choir, and as the choir director in 1926. Mrs. Dunn also spent her time performing community service in the New Orleans area. She served as treasurer of the Women's Auxiliary of Flint Goodridge Hospital, Ebony Fashion Fair, and B-Sharp Music Club, where she served as treasurer for forty-three years.
The Dunns had five daughters. Beatrice Ellen Dunn Wilson was a graduate of Straight University and the first black assistant supervisor of visiting teachers in New Orleans Public Schools. She also served as a president of the Women's Auxiliary of Flint Goodridge Hospital where she instituted the Miss Lady Fair Contest.