Ara Adair Ellis Dunn

Ara Adair Dunn, 93, formerly of Corpus Christi, Texas, resident of Gramercy, and most recently of Baton Rouge, passed away peacefully on January 8, 2026. She was a beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother and great-grandmother, and a source of light to all who sought her out. She is survived by seven daughters: Linda White-Hunt (Keith), Ursula Howell (Kenny), Dana Territo (David), Kathy Watkins, Sandy Sanders (Randy), Sherry Haydel (Dale), and Stacie Ordoyne (Kirk); and one son, Kerry Dunn (Sheila). She also will be lovingly remembered by her 20 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and all those whose lives she touched over the years. A devoted member of Sacred Heart parish for many years, Adair lived to help others. She was actively involved in parish ministries, including Adoration, regularly preparing and delivering meals to those in need, and compassionately caring for the elderly and infirm. Her life was a beacon of grace, compassion, and quiet strength. She was preceded in death by her parents, Murray Gray Ellis and Ara Adair MacManus Ellis; her husband of sixty-four years, Ray Dunn; her son, Claude Dunn; and her brother, Charles "Bubba" Ellis.

The family wishes to thank Audubon Hospice and their loving caregivers, Ingrid and Gail; and to Tiffiny, formerly with Griswold Home Care; and most recently to her granddaughter, Sydney Sanders for their attentive and loving care of their mother through her final journey. We are also eternally grateful to her caregivers, Sandy and Randy Sanders, for the grace and generosity they have provided our mother over the past few years.

The service will take place on Friday, January 16, 2026, at St. John the Evangelist, 15208 LA-73, Prairieville, LA 70769. The rosary will be read at 11:00 a.m., visitation from 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Mass will begin at 1:00 p.m., followed by the bereavement in the Community Center.

Pallbearers will be David Territo, Johnny Howell, Joseph Harris, Joshua Bihm, Jesse Dunn, Chaise Watkins, Gavin Ordoyne

Honorary pallbearers are Hunter Territo, Michael Howell, Connor Ordoyne, Logan Ordoyne

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Adair’s memory to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or the American Cancer Society (on behalf of her daughter Dana).