Stuart Orlando Dunnavant, 68, of Farmville, passed away on Sunday, December 6, 2015. He was born in Farmville to the late Stuart S. and Ruby Thompson Dunnavant on September 11, 1947.

He graduated from Piedmont Law Enforcement Academy in 1973 and went to work at the Crewe Police Department. He moved to Farmville Police Department in 1973 as patrolman then Sergeant and Lieutenant and later was promoted to Chief of Police where he worked from 1999 to 2009. During this time he dedicated his life to his community in many capacities of law enforcement such as head of the Tactical Team, Farmville Fire Department and served on the board of directors of the Central Virginia Criminal Justice Academy and was a member of the Piedmont Law Enforcement Association.

After he retired from the Farmville Police Department he worked part-time for the Buckingham Sheriff’s Department until his death.

He is survived by his wife, Kathy Crump Dunnavant; a son, Stuart “Greg” Dunnavant of Farmville; a daughter, Lynn Dunnavant-Biggers (Craig) of Keysville; a granddaughter, Aarica Daniels; a great-granddaughter, McKenzie; stepsister, Nancy Nowlin of Victoria; a niece, Samantha Dunnavant and many special cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother, Floyd F. Dunnavant.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, December 10 at 11 a.m. in the Chapel of Puckett Funeral Home with interment to follow in Trinity Memorial Gardens.

Family will receive friends on Wednesday, December 9 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at Puckett Funeral Home.

Puckett Funeral Home, Farmville, is serving the family. www.puckettfh.com.