Infant Bethany Kate Dunlap

Bethany Kate Dunlap was born still on Tuesday May 18, 2021 at 1:01PM to Brian and Susanna Dunlap of Madison, Alabama. She was carefully delivered by Dr. Karen Samples and the exceptional team at Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children.

Bethany was immediately swaddled and cradled by her parents as Associate Pastor Fr. Antony Vadakara of St. John Catholic Church conducted prayers and blessings. Bethany was bathed, clothed, kissed, held and loved by her family and friends. She was five pounds and eleven ounces and eighteen and a half inches long. Her hair was red like her father, her eyes blue like her mother, her skin fair, and lips perfectly pink. She was absolutely perfect, pristine, and beautiful in every way.

Bethany is survived by her parents, Brian and Susanna Dunlap (Madison, AL); her grandparents Scott and Mary Beth Dunlap (Madison, AL) and Douglas and Susan Payton (Mobile, AL); great grandfather Lowell Dunlap (Madison, AL); Godparents John and Kindra Swauger (Huntsville, AL); canine sibling Chip; many aunts and uncles, cousins, and a large extended family in both Mobile, Alabama as well as Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Louisiana.

Bethany’s gestation was filled with many exciting memories and special moments. Her parents learned of their pregnancy while vacationing at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Bethany accompanied her mother to every emergency department shift during the COVID-19 pandemic from September 2020 to May 2021. Bethany visited the Gulf Coast in Mobile, AL with her parents. She also accompanied her parents to vote in the 2020 presidential election. Bethany also attended the inaugural Rocket City Trash Panda game with her parents and grandparents.

Our family would like to extend our deepest, immeasurable gratitude to Dr. Karen Samples and Dr. John David Wheeler of the Clinic for Women, the Huntsville Hospital Women & Children’s Obstetric Emergency Department team (Dr. Hamilton, Diane RN, Jasmine CRNP), Anesthesia team (Dr. Kinnebrew), OR Team, Labor & Delivery/Recovery Team (Kelsey RN, Katie RN, Nikki RN), and the Women’s Surgery Third Floor Staff (Samantha RN, Jodi RN, Bonnie RN, Sue RN, Morgan RN, Shelby RN, Michelle RN, techs, secretaries, housekeeping, nutrition team, and ancillary staff) for their sensitive, attentive, endearing, and professional care of our family and Bethany.

Our family would also like to thank the following for their compassionate and gentle care:  Mr. Burt Rich with the nonprofit organization Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep, for providing courtesy professional photography services; Legacy Chapel Funeral Home of Madison, AL.; Father Antony Vadakara and Deacon Greg Thompson at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church; and our many friends and family members who have been with us since the very beginning.

A funeral mass and memorial service will be held at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Madison, AL on Friday, May 28, 2021 at 1:00PM followed immediately by a reception at the home of Brian and Susanna Dunlap.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep in honor of our daughter, Bethany Kate Dunlap. https://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org/donate