Zebulon Mourns a Local Angel: Beloved Caregiver and Community Pillar Janice Dunn Passes Away at 68
Zebulon, NC – The town of Zebulon is grieving the loss of one of its most cherished residents, Janice Dunn, who passed away peacefully at the age of 68 after a courageous battle with illness. A lifelong member of the community, Janice was more than a neighbor—she was a beacon of love, service, and strength to everyone who knew her.
Born and raised in Zebulon, Janice was known for her warm smile, unwavering faith, and deep compassion for others. Over the course of her life, she wore many hats: a caregiver, a mentor, a church leader, a mother, a grandmother, and a trusted friend. No matter the role, she carried herself with grace, humility, and kindness.
For more than three decades, Janice served as a Certified Nursing Assistant, dedicating her professional life to helping the sick and elderly. Her work went beyond the basics of care—patients and families alike recall her as someone who offered comfort during the hardest times, often sitting by their side long after her shift had ended.
“She had a heart for healing,” said Gloria Price, a former coworker and friend. “To Janice, being a caregiver wasn’t just a job—it was a calling. And she answered that call every single day with love.”
Janice’s commitment to her community extended far beyond her workplace. A devout member of Mount Moriah Baptist Church, she was active in the choir, led the women’s ministry, and was instrumental in organizing outreach programs such as food drives, back-to-school supply giveaways, and holiday charity events. Church leaders describe her as the “heartbeat” of the congregation—someone who inspired others simply by living her faith.
“She lived her testimony,” said Reverend Clarence Miles. “Janice wasn’t loud or showy about her faith, but her actions spoke volumes. She cared for people, she served, and she made sure others never felt forgotten.”
At home, Janice was the matriarch of a large and loving family. She raised three children—Tasha, Maurice, and Keisha Dunn—and was a proud grandmother to six grandchildren. Her family describes her as their “greatest gift,” someone who created a home filled with laughter, life lessons, and unconditional love.
“No matter what we were going through, Mama was always our rock,” said her daughter Tasha. “She gave us strength when we didn’t have it, and she loved us even in our darkest moments.”
Janice was also known for her hospitality and home-cooked meals. Friends and neighbors remember her open door and open heart, especially around the holidays when her kitchen was a refuge for those with nowhere else to go. From collard greens and cornbread to heartfelt prayers around the dinner table, Janice knew how to nourish both body and soul.
In recent days, tributes have poured in across social media and throughout the town, with many sharing stories of Janice’s acts of kindness—some large, some small, all unforgettable. Whether she was lending a helping hand or offering a shoulder to cry on, she left a lasting impression on every life she touched.
A public visitation for Janice Dunn will be held Thursday at Richardson Funeral Home in Louisburg. Her funeral service will take place Friday at 1:00 p.m. at Mount Moriah Baptist Church in Zebulon, with burial to follow at Greenhill Cemetery. The service is expected to draw a large crowd, as the community gathers to say goodbye to a woman who gave them so much.
In her passing, Zebulon has lost a beloved elder, caregiver, and friend—but her legacy lives on in the values she stood for: faith, family, service, and love.
As one mourner simply put it: “To know Janice Dunn was to know God’s grace in human form.”
Rest in peace, Janice. You were truly one of a kind.