Rozyna (Garnett) Dunn

Glennville

Rozyna “Zeke” Garnett Dunn was born on March 28, 1960 in Monrovia, Liberia. At an early age, her parents, Agnes George and Francis Garnett, sent her and her sister, Joyce to live with their grandmother Cora Garnett in Kakata. After the tragic drowning of her sister, Joyce, Zeke moved back to her mother in Monrovia. She graduated from the College of West Africa in 1978.

Zeke matriculated to the University of Liberia, and later transferred to Centre Universitaire d’Etudes Francaises (CUEF) in Abidjan, Ivory Coast to immerse herself in the French language. Upon her graduation, she studied in Paris, and received a Masters degree in French. She returned to Liberia, and taught French at the University of Liberia.

Rozyna got married to Elbert Dunn and had two sons, Lionel and Travis. Threatened by an inevitable civil war in Liberia, and due to the nature of her husband’s job, Zeke was forced into voluntary exile to the United States in 1987 with her two young sons. Her husband, Elbert was killed during the brutal Civil War in 1990.

Zeke continued her education while raising her two boys, and received a second Masters degree in English. She taught English at Upsala College and Sussex County Community College in New Jersey, and Hunter College in New York. Zeke loved French, and offered free French tutorial classes at Upsala College.

She married Samukai King and they were blessed with two sons, Ansu and Ahmed. That union later dissolved.

Zeke was diagnosed with an aggressive form of Cancer, and was told she only had 6 months to live. Being a devout Christian, who had a very close relationship with the Lord, she agonized over her grim diagnosis. In search of peace and tranquility, Rozyna relocated to Batesville, Mississippi. Zeke outlived the 6 months prognosis she was given, and lived for almost 14 years.

She was a lifelong teacher, and continued teaching in Batesville. Zeke had a passion for writing, and authored a book, Land of our Fathers: An Odyssey of Hope in 2009.

Zeke suffered a massive stroke in the summer of 2018. Her condition required around-the clock care, so she moved in with her son Travis in Glennville, GA.  She succumbed to her illness and quietly passed away in her sleep on Saturday, October 13, 2018 at the home of her son.

Zeke was predeceased by her father, Francis Garnett, her mother, Agnes George, and her sister, Joyce Garnett.

Rozyna A. Dunn, nee Garnett, is survived by her beloved four sons, Lionel T. Dunn, Travis Dunn, Ansu King, Ahmed King; five grandchildren, A’kino Dunn, Xavier Dunn, Melody Dunn, Nadia Dunn, Tiana Dunn; her brother, Carlton (Yaito) George, her sister Naenae Diggs and a host of relatives and friends.

Take your rest Zeke. You fought a good fight.

Funeral services will be conducted 1:00pm Saturday, October 20, 2018 from the Chapel of Glennville Funeral Home. Interment will follow in the Glennville City Cemetery.

Low Country Cremation and Burial is serving the family of Ms. Rozyna A. Dunn.