100 Year Celebration for Clara “Honey” Dunbar

Clara Dunbar of Palmetto celebrated her 100th birthday on Saturday, February 22nd surrounded by 163 of her family and friends at the Palmetto Youth Center. Known as “Ms. Honey” to those in the community, Mrs. Dunbar has been a pillar of strength to those who know her, many of whom considered her their “other mother”. Family and friends enjoyed an afternoon of food and music, showering the guest of honor with birthday wishes. A video interview of her life was presented by her son, Freddie McSears.

In honor of her 100th birthday, Mrs. Dunbar received a letter of congratulations signed by Barack and Michelle Obama, which read in part:

‘Over the course of one century you have made extraordinary memories and woven your own unique story into the American narrative … and we trust you take tremendous pride in all you have contributed to our great nation.”

The City of Palmetto also recognized Mrs. Dunbar with a proclamation from Mayor Daniel W. West, for her “achievements, compassion, and longevity.”

Mrs. Dunbar was employed as a field worker and later worked at Manatee Memorial Hospital. She retired from the hospital when she was 61 years of age, but continued to work and nurture people at the Senior Citizen Center five days a week until COVID. “Ms. Honey” is an active member of Turner’s Chapel AME Church in Palmetto, and loves doing puzzles, cheering on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and reading her bible. Most of all, she loves people. She is the mother of five children, Lois Davis of Maryland; John T. “JT” Wilson, Jr., Tampa, Freddie McSears, also from Maryland, Sharon Lee, Palmetto and Sandra K. Dunbar, Bradenton.