Former Alabama state Senator Priscilla Dunn passed away Tuesday at the age of 80 following a lengthy illness. Dunn, a longtime educator and devoted lawmaker, leaves behind a legacy of service to her community, particularly in the areas of education and women's rights.
Alabama Daily News reported that Dunn’s passing marks the end of a decades-long career dedicated to serving Alabama’s residents in both the House and Senate.
Dunn, a Democrat from Birmingham, served in the Alabama House of Representatives from 1998 until 2009.
Following that, she represented Senate District 19 from 2009 to 2022. During her last years in office, health issues caused her to be absent more frequently, leading her to retire at the end of her term.
Before entering politics, Dunn spent years working in education as a school principal. She and her husband, Grover Dunn, were actively involved in assisting students even after she left the field. Her passion for improving the educational system carried into her legislative work.
“She was a force within herself,” said Sen. Bobby Singleton, who served alongside Dunn for many years.
He emphasized how she consistently fought for what she believed in, particularly education and women’s issues. Despite facing health challenges in her later years, Singleton noted how she still commanded respect on both sides of the political aisle.
Dunn’s commitment to public service remained strong even during her final years. However, due to her ongoing illness, she was frequently absent during her last quadrennium in the Senate and chose not to run for re-election in 2022.
Her Senate seat was later won by Sen. Merika Coleman, who had previously served with Dunn in the Alabama House and ran against her in the 2009 special Democratic primary runoff.
Reflecting on her experience, Coleman expressed deep respect for Dunn, stating, “I learned so much from her, even in defeat.… She is the epitome of strength, quiet strength, but also grace and compassion for others.”
Dunn's reputation extended beyond party lines. Senate President Pro Tem Greg Reed praised her for her kindness and grace, recalling how Dunn was one of the first senators to welcome him when he joined the Alabama Senate in 2011. “She was a good friend to me,” Reed said. “Our prayers are with her family and friends as they grieve her loss.”
U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, a fellow Alabama Democrat, called Dunn a “grand dame” and acknowledged the path Dunn paved for Black women in elected office. “She was a grand dame whose footsteps we Black women elected officials are blessed to have followed,” Sewell stated.
Dunn’s dedication to her constituents and her advocacy for educational improvements have left a lasting impact on Alabama’s legislative history. Throughout her political career, she was known for her persistence, often advocating on the Senate floor for issues that she held dear. Despite her health challenges, she continued to fight for her community until her retirement in 2022.
Dunn is survived by her husband, Grover, and their daughter, Karen Dunn Burks, who currently serves as the Jefferson County Circuit Clerk.
Dunn’s funeral is scheduled for Saturday at Shady Grove Baptist Church in Bessemer. Friends, family, and colleagues are expected to gather to honor her memory and celebrate the many contributions she made throughout her life.
Her passing has prompted an outpouring of tributes from her colleagues in the Alabama legislature, as well as from those she mentored during her years in public service. Many remember her not only for her political achievements but also for the kindness and compassion she showed to everyone she worked with.
