On June 5, 2025, Joseph Miller Dunivin, lifelong Virginia resident, died peacefully in the presence of his family. Joe (as he was known to everyone) was born on February 15,1928 in Bridgewater, Rockingham County, Virginia, to Grace Darling Rebecca Miller and Alvin Joseph Dunivin. He grew up in the Shenandoah Valley and, at ten years of age with his parents and five siblings, moved to Lorton, Fairfax County, Virginia. After graduating from Mount Vernon High School, he entered the U.S. Army Air Corps. His service took him to the South Pacific – Okinawa and Guam, and state-side in Arizona. Upon completion of his tour of duty, Joe returned to civilian life with his parents and brothers.
Joe married his childhood sweetheart, Dorothy White (whom he lovingly called “Dot), on November 5, 1951, in New York City, on the Bride and Groom television program. Students in the local elementary school where Dot taught were released from classes so they could watch the wedding of their beloved teacher. A local paper reported that “the bride televised beautifully, and her poise could well be envied by professionals. Lorton was justly proud of its representatives and rejoiced with the young couple.” They soon moved to Woodbridge, Virginia to raise their family and begin an active life in the community and St. Paul’s United Methodist Church.
