Paul Allen Dunbar

 Paul Allen Dunbar of Spartanburg died Wednesday, May 3, 2023, surrounded by his loving children.

Paul was the son of the late Dr. Paul Dunbar and Mary Elizabeth Floyd Dunbar, who most knew as Miss Lizzie. He grew up with his brothers John Floyd Dunbar and Henry Stevens (Budgie) Dunbar where he enjoyed horses, raising Dalmatians with his mother, and fishing.

Paul was a graduate of Spartanburg High School, class of 1960, and The Citadel (class of 1964) where he studied history and was a member of Company R. He earned a Master of Arts degree from East Carolina University and taught college courses at Jacksonville State in Jacksonville, Alabama for a few years. It was during this time Paul developed his passion for antiques.

Paul returned to Spartanburg where he opened Chestnut Galleries on Chestnut Street, next to First Presbyterian Church, where he and his family were members for generations. It was in Spartanburg where Paul met Jo Henderson, while engaging in another of his passions: dancing, particularly ballroom dancing.

Paul was always devoted to his children: his daughter Elizabeth Dunbar Walsh (Westbrook Walsh) of Alexandria, VA and his son, Paul Allen Dunbar IV (Savannah Gignac) of Charleston, both of whom remember fondly taking road trips to antique shows, ballroom dancing competitions and the many stops along the way.

His grandchildren are Nathaniel Peter Marcionette, William Russell Walsh, Brooke Elizabeth Walsh, Emily Katherine Walsh, and Oona Faye Dunbar. He also shared special moments with his cousin and friend, Fayssoux Dunbar McLean, who shared his fondness for music.

A service celebrating the life of Paul will be held Friday, May 5, 2023 at 10 o’clock in the morning a Floyd’s Greenlawn Cemetery.