Carletta C Dunlap

Carletta C. Dunlap, age 80, of Lorain, passed away unexpectedly, October 4, 2023, at home surrounded by her family. She was born November 30, 1942, in Cincinnati, Ohio, one of twenty-five and the eldest of ten living children.

Carletta attended Clearview High School. Starting a family at a young age, she dropped out of school to attend to her husband and children. Not giving up on her dreams, she completed her GED and continued her education at Lorain Business College and received her degree in Secretarial Science. She then went on to the Northern Institute of Cosmetology. In between raising her 8 children she once again decided to further her education and received degrees in Elementary Education and Black History from Lorain County Community College and Cleveland State University. Carletta then went further to receive her PHD in Cosmetology from Dudley’s Cosmetology University, in North Carolina and another from the National Beauty Culturist League in Washington, DC. Carletta owned and operated Coiffeurs Beauty Salon, in Lorain, OH. She became a platform artist, traveling and product instructor for Dudley and volunteered her time weaving hair on cancer patients.

In 2005 Carletta returned to education working for Lorain City Schools Alternative School PACE/New Beginnings, working with troubled youth and their families. Carletta taught and mentored through positive re-enforcements and the love of a mother. In 2008 she teamed up with her youngest daughter Vernita and received her certification for Colon Hydrotherapy. She would later help assist with her daughter’s business, Life Changing Wellness Center, with operating offices in both Cuyahoga and Lorain Counties.

Carletta joined The Lorain Club of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc. in 2005. She held various offices including Club President for 3 terms, and Youth Coordinator for the North Central District. In 2005 she received the club’s Business Award and in 2015. Carletta became the club’s 41st Sojourner Truth Awardee, the highest honor given by the organization. She was a proud member of Alpha Kapa Alpha Sorority Inc., the Lorain County Section of National Council of Negro Women, the Lorain County Democratic Women’s Club, Eastern Stars, the 2004 Lorain International Festival Fundraising Committee spotlighting the African American Community, the Lorain County Democratic Party Central Committee Precinct 7-E, and a faithful member of the Living Word Church under the teachings of Pastor Ray H. Robinson Jr., and First Lady Holly until her health declined.

Carletta enjoyed spending time with family, traveling, going to her grandchildren and great grandchildren’s sporting events and watching tennis.

Carletta C. Dunlap was preceded in death by her father William Knowles Sr., mother Ethel (Bell) Knowles, husband of 62 years Richard A. Dunlap Sr., sister Lacrecia C. Knowles, and brother D’Artagnan C. Knowles. 

Carletta leaves to cherish her memory daughters Vanessa (Andy) Smith of Lorain, Vicky (Eric) Gaines of Oberlin, Valerie (Richard) Rogers of Elyria, Vernita (Ryan) Warfield of Lorain; sons Richard (Cheryl) Dunlap Jr. of Los Angeles, CA, Bruce F. Dunlap of Lorain, Jerome (Debbie) Dunlap of Lorain, Aaron (Lonnie) Dunlap of Lorain, Pete (Lois) Martinez of Lorain; brothers William C. (Lynn) Knowles of Rancho Cordova, CA, Asa C. (Deege) Knowles of Lorain, Taquato C. Knowles of Lorain, Utron C. Knowles of Lorain, Leonidas C. Knowles of Lorain; sisters Merial C. (Johnny) Larsosa of Lorain, Alicia C. Knowles, and Karona C. White of Lorain; twenty-five grandchildren, twenty-six great-grandchildren and a host of in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A viewing will be on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023, from 10:00 AM until the time of her service at 11:00 AM at Living Word Church, 2002 E. 28th St., Lorain OH 44055. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery, Lorain.