The Dunagin home, located at 29 E. Broad St., in Decatur, is a hidden gem of local Mississippi history and southern hospitality. Now known as Inn the Oaks Bed and Breakfast, it was lovingly restored by Randy and Lea Ann Rushing and Pat and Diane O’Neil of Decatur in August 2014.
Recently the Inn welcomed descendants of G. H. Dunagin. His grandson, Jim Dunagin, of McAlaster, Oklahoma, Jim’s daughter, Amy Dunagin of Atlanta, Georgia, and Jane Mayfield, of Memphis, Tennessee, stayed overnight in the comfortably restored bedrooms. They took delight in remembering and envisioning the events of days gone by, particularly the wedding of Jane’s mother, Charlotte, daughter of G.H. Dunagin. Jane enjoyed envisioning her mother in her beautiful wedding dress standing beneath the elegant archway between the dining and living rooms of the home.
The original wedding cake chandelier is still suspended elegantly in these two rooms. This wedding dress, along with other family memorabilia, has been graciously loaned to the Inn, adding interest and authenticity to its history.
The Dunagin home has an interesting history, with each owner adding their own chapter to the home’s lineage. It was built in 1930, at the dawn of the Great Depression, with the life’s savings of George Harmon Love Dunagin and his wife, Odis Mae Spivey. Built in a Tudor Revival style, the home stood stately as the first brick home in Decatur. At that time, Dunagin owned and operated the Decatur Hardware and General Merchandise store. The Dunagin Room in the Inn has been dedicated in Dunagin and Spivey’s honor.
The second owner was D.L. James. He was into land acquisition and was the owner of the local sawmill and cotton gin. His wife worked at the Roxy Theater in Newton. The James Room in the Inn has been dedicated in honor of James and his wife.
Mari Jo James Denson became the third owner of the Dunagin Home after she inherited the home from her father, D.L. James. An acclaimed pianist, Denson lived in the home until her death in 2012. Her love of music is reflected by the Denson Room in the Inn, which has been dedicated in her honor.
The Inn has also dedicated a room to the town of Decatur. In 1836, the town was named in honor of Stephen Decatur, a naval hero.
The Dunagin Home, continues as a place of welcome and respite to visitors and resident of Decatur, and has enjoyed visitors from all over the world. The new owners, Gary and Wanda Pace, welcome all to visit and enjoy an overnight stay. Guests will be awakened by the cooking of a delicious country-style breakfast, prepared and graciously served by the inn keeper, Jane Tillman. Jane has been the inn keeper since 2014 and continues to take wonderful care of the guests.
