Harriett Roberson, nee Callaway, was born on 17 April 1957 in Gastonia, North Carolina to Claude Coolidge Callaway, a writer and photographer, and Frances Winona Callaway, a registered nurse. She died on 21 April 2026, soon after her 69th birthday.

In her childhood, Harriett's mother taught her a fierce sense of justice and intellectual curiosity, and her father taught her compassion and kindness. Both parents nurtured an instinct to learn in Harriett. In 1975, she began attending Appalachian State University, and graduated in 1978 with a degree in political science.

Harriett then began a long career in newspaper journalism, working for publications in Hickory, NC, Charleston, SC, Dallas, TX, Charlotte, and Winston-Salem. She raised her first son in this period and led an active and varied life.

In 1987, she married James A. C. Dunn, a former features and human interest writer for several of the same papers she'd worked for, turned potter in Belews Creek, NC. Each already parent to their own sons, Harriett had two more children with Jim. She began a career in public service, starting in child support. At the same time, Harriett sustained her interest in learning, taking an associate's degree in criminal justice and qualifications in divorce mediation and as a notary public. She stood ready always to speak out on behalf of the unfortunate and the downtrodden.

Harriett endured numerous personal tragedies and difficulties and never lost her determination to live and to spread kindness and comfort in the world. She was a student and lover of knowledge to the end of her days, training as a paralegal and forever collecting new thoughts and ideas. She was a warm and generous friend, a stalwart ally, and a loving mother and grandmother.

She was preceded in death by her eldest brother, Stuart Richmond Callaway, and her husband James Dunn.

She is survived by son David Dockery, son Morgan Dunn, daughter Katie Dunn, stepson Ian Dunn, her elder brother Grant Callaway, and younger sister Laura Hamilton. She was grandmother to Preston Dockery, Zoey Dockery, Gemma Collins, and Whalen Collins. She is also survived by a large and loving community of friends, fellow church-goers, and neighbors.

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