Betty [Bernice Elizabeth] Dunman Brice, age 89, passed peacefully on July 19, 2026. Betty was a beloved daughter, sister, mom, amazing Grammie, and friend to many. Betty was born in El Portal, Florida, and grew up in Fernandina Beach, Florida where she graduated from Fernandina Beach High School, class of 1954.
During her years as a military spouse, Betty lived in several military communities while raising her two children, Stephen and Kathy. After time in New Orleans, Louisiana, the family settled in Williamsburg, Virginia in the mid-1960s.

Betty had a remarkable gift for making everyone feel like family. She was a mom to so many beyond her own children. She unselfishly opened her home to those in need, welcomed many beloved pets, and even hosted an exchange student. Her home was always a place of warmth, kindness, acceptance, and unconditional love.

Betty’s incredible work ethic and dedication were the foundation of her career. She spent nearly 30 years in leadership, primarily at the Holiday Inn East in Williamsburg, where she built lifelong friendships with coworkers and guests alike. Wanting to be closer to family, Betty moved to the greater Orlando area in the early 1990s. While there, she also continued her career, spending more than 20 years at Rabco, Inc. in Winter Garden. There, she became affectionately known as the "do-all" person and the birthday cake lady, always willing to lend a hand and never forgetting a celebration.

Being close to family let her embrace one of her greatest joys, being an active grandmother. To her grandchildren, she was simply “Grammie” but was also like a second mother. She could always be counted on to show up for family gatherings, school events, and life's special moments, even if she arrived just a little late. She patiently taught her grandchildren to cook, bake, and decorate cakes. Family trips, weekends at the lake, RV camping, crafting, and baking together created cherished memories that will last forever. Her unconditional love, steady presence, and generous heart will be deeply missed.

Betty shared a loving life with her devoted partner, Joe Perry. Together they enjoyed traveling, camping with friends from the Elks Lodge, family gatherings and reunions, and countless weekends at the lake. Their years together were filled with love, laughter, friendship, and unforgettable memories.

Betty lived a life centered on love, family, and friendship. She was kind, generous, and always ready to help others. She loved people, animals, and birds, especially hummingbirds, and had an incredible green thumb that filled her home with beautiful plants. She was also famous for the cakes that made every family and coworker's birthday extra special, as well as her rum cakes, homemade candies, and delicious Christmas fudge that everyone looked forward to each year.

To those who knew her best, she will always be Betty, Mom, Grammie, and a treasured friend. She was deeply loved, will be greatly missed, and will never be forgotten.
Betty is survived by her son Stephen (Connie); daughter Kathy; granddaughter Lindsey Brice Thomas (Dennis); grandsons Cutler Brice (Fabien) and Jacob Brice; great granddaughter Viviana Lindsey Elizabeth Thomas; brothers, David Arthur Dunman (Reba), and Thomas Eugene Dunman (Jayne); Joe’s son, Jason Perry (Michelle); Joe’s granddaughter, Madison; and countless nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her beloved life partner Joe Perry; her mother, Aldora Cain Dunman; her father, Marshall Wilbur Dunman, Jr; her newborn daughter, Cynthia Elizabeth Brice; her sisters Joyce Wilson and Ann Miller; her brother, Marshall Dunman, III; and Joe Perry’s son, Joe, Jr.

A Celebration of Life will be held on September 11, 2026, 11:00 AM at Steverson, Hamlin & Hilbish 226 E. Burleigh Blvd, Tavares, Florida 32778 and on Saturday, September 12, 2026, 10:00 AM at Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors, 1305 Atlantic Ave, Fernandina Beach, Florida 32034, interment at Bosque Bello Cemetery will immediately follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Betty’s memory can be directed to the Eustis Elk’s Lodge #1578 at https://web.charityengine.net/floridaelks-donate-2025x2, please enter “Eustis 1578” in the designation field. Donations may also be made to Cornerstone Hospice Foundation, 2445 Lane Park Road, Tavares, Florida 32778.

Betty’s legacy lives on in every recipe shared, every flower that blooms, every hummingbird that visits, every birthday celebrated with love, and in the countless lives she made sweeter simply by knowing them.