Lenore Richardson Dunwoody

Our beloved Mom, Lenore, Mumay, Aunt Lenore, friend, passed away peacefully on December 22, 2020, at the age of 96 years.  Lenore Richardson Dunwoody was born on May 19, 1924, in Oak Park, Illinois, to Dana Thurston Richardson and Helen Church Richardson.  She grew up in nearby River Forest until graduating from Township High School in 1942.
Shortly after graduation Lenore moved to Houston with her family to join her father, a World War I veteran who had reenlisted in the Air Force and was stationed at Ellington Field as a Lieutenant Colonel in charge of the cadets.  She loved telling the story of how they took the train from Chicago on a typical beautiful, crisp summer morning only to arrive into town on one of the hottest August days on record in Houston.   The word “hell” might have been used as she described stepping off the train onto the platform.  She didn’t skip a beat though and managed to head back up to her Midwest roots to go to college at DePauw University.  Upon completion of her studies she returned to her family in Houston, and began her first job working for a drilling company.
She met her future husband, Charlie Dunwoody, an independent oil operator, when he came by to visit her boss, and his good friend, about a drilling prospect.  After that, he conveniently managed to drop by on a regular basis to “talk business” with his friend.  His persistence paid off as they soon fell in love and married.  
Lenore and Charlie had a long, wonderful full life together.  They loved all their many friends and were active together throughout their lives.  They enjoyed playing cards and dining with friends at their club where they thought of the staff as family.  They spent every summer down at their house on Galveston Bay where they, and their children, forged lasting memories and relationships with all their friends.  Both loved the outdoors.  You would often find them boating on the bay or fishing on their beautiful lake.  Lenore loved to put on her soft leather boots to go out for a long walk in their woods, or head to her garden and get her hands dirty.  There would always be a beautiful smile on her face as she watched her plants and flowers flourish.  But most of all she loved seeing her family flourish.  
“Mumay” was such a beautiful person - always there for her family.  She had a wonderful sense of humor, and was loved by all, and was always devoted to her family and friends.  She so treasured her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Each one of them will always cherish their many Mumay memories.  She departs from us having modeled how to live a wonderful life: devoted to family, always speaking honestly and with common sense, and dispensing thoughtful sage advice.
Lenore Dunwoody is survived by her children: Diane Dunwoody; Lucie Margaret Dunwoody; William McComb “Mac” Dunwoody and wife, Susan; David M. Dunwoody and wife, Kackie.  She leaves behind her beloved grandchildren and great grandchildren: Katie Dunwoody Neese (Aldin and Taj); Courtney Viva Dunwoody; William McComb Dunwoody Jr. and wife, Lauren; Lauren Dunwoody Collins and husband, Porter (Porter, Kackie and Greta); Kathleen Dunwoody Graf and husband, Chris (Charlie, Austin and Tyler); Maggi Dunwoody Cummings and husband, Eric (Josie and Emeline); David M. Dunwoody Jr. and wife, Mariann (David III, William, Claire and Holden).  She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Linda Parrish Richardson, and her nephews and niece Dana Richardson (Phyllis), Gary Richardson (Sheryl), Ben Richardson (Brenda), and Gail Richardson Lane (Burke).
Lenore was predeceased by her loving husband of 57 years, Charles Gunn Dunwoody Jr., her son Charles Traylor Dunwoody, her brother Dana Thurston Richardson Jr., and her nephew Barton Parrish Richardson.
The family is extremely grateful to Francis Waterhouse, Dorrine Moore, and Willie Cuffee whose wonderful care for her made her life so comfortable these past two years.
Father Jay Walsh of Saint Anne Catholic Church officiated a beautiful family graveside service at Glenwood Cemetery on the morning of Monday, December 28, 2020.  The family requests any donations in her memory be made to Boys and Girls Country, 18806 Roberts Road, Hockley, Texas,  77447-932; Houston Food Bank, 535 Portwall Street, Houston, Texas  77029; or the charity of your choice.