Bethany Christine Dunn

Bethany Christine Dunn, a beloved daughter, sister, aunt, cousin and friend, passed away peacefully while she and her mother were sleeping, on August 5, 2025, at Hospice Austin Christopher House. Born on May 26, 1982, in Austin, Texas, Bethany graced the world with her presence for 43 wonderful years.

Throughout her life, Bethany embodied kindness, empathy, and unwavering love for those around her. For over 21 years, she ran a home daycare, nurturing each child as if they were her own, fostering a welcoming environment filled with laughter and learning. A dedicated servant, Bethany was actively involved in her church nursery from the age of 12 until ill health required her to step back in recent years. Her compassionate heart led her to serve in the helping-hands ministry of her church, always quick to respond to the needs of new mothers or the sick, providing meals and assistance without hesitation. She also enjoyed volunteering at the assisted living facility, playing games and becoming good friends with residents where her mother worked. As a child Bethany loved the weekly trips to the nursing home to sing with her dad or traverse the halls and rooms to pray with the people.

Education played a significant role in shaping Bethany’s life. She graduated from Genesis High School in Bastrop, Texas, and spent a transformative year at the Texas Bible Institute in   Columbus, where she formed lifelong friendships and strengthened her faith—a season of life she cherished deeply. She always looked forward to Tuesday morning Bible study where Pastors Mary and Nancy always seemed to painstakingly study, prepare and teach just what she needed. Bethany was great with word games online and found pleasure in staying connected to humans while trying to kick some butt.

Those who knew Bethany were often touched by her remarkable ability to listen with intent and love unconditionally. She enjoyed time with friends and family more than anything, especially those 2 amazing nieces! She was known for being her mother’s closest confidant and steadfast friend. Bethany was wise and got away with gentle correction, as needed, because it was always so plainly done in love. Bethany was generous to the very core of her being. So very thoughtful and always watching for opportunities to gift something to someone. She even recently expressed the hope of getting better quickly after checking to see if she might be a candidate to donate a kidney to a friend in need. One of her greatest passions and sources of personal encouragement was time spent listening to praise and worship music, day and night. She especially enjoyed live concerts and the nights at church dedicated to worship in music. A tribute to her very gifted dad. 

Bethany's spirit was infused with a zest for life, even in the face of her physical challenges since birth of the rare diagnoses of septo-optic dysplasia and diabetes insipidus. Her journey was not without struggles, including countless scary trips to the emergency room due to dehydration, weekly labwork for decades and 14 specialists. Despite these challenges, she remained proactive and hopeful. Sadly, after a successful procedure to repair her esophagus, complications arose, leading to her comfort care at hospice.

Bethany's only brother, Jonathan Dunn, as well as her adoring mother and step-father, Dana and Kelly Thornton, and her cherished nieces, Abigail and Kassandra Dunn, their mothers, Sylvia and Braylee, and Loretta (step-mom/ John's fiancee), respectively, survive her. Her loving memory will continue to be cherished by her grandparents, Evelyn and Richard Silwedel, and by a multitude of aunts, uncles, and cousins, including Sheri and Jim Telfer, Stacey and Tony Sorge, Darryl Silwedel, Leslie Taylor, Alex, Kris, Bryan, Glory, Jamie, Brittney, Jordan, Dex, and Trulee, plus far too many dear friends to list. She was preceded in death by her beloved father, John Warner Dunn; her cousin, Violet Caramella; and her great-grandparents, Omama, Papa, MawMaw, and PawPaw.

The memories of Bethany will forever live in the hearts of all who were blessed to know her. Her memorial service will be held on August 10, 2025, at 1:30 PM at LifeFamily Bastrop, located at 1096 State Hwy 71, Bastrop, TX 78602.                  A coffee, tea, dessert and fruit reception will follow.