Ivy Dumas

Ivy Mercer Dumas was born September 2, 1930 in Grove Hill, AL to Ivy Clay Dumas & Annie Mae Vaughn Dumas. Ivy passed peacefully at home on April 27, 2021 at the age of 90 with his wife lovingly by his side.

Mr. Dumas was preceded in death by his father, Mr. Ivy Clay Dumas, mother, Mrs. Annie Mae Vaughn; siblings, Lola Gates, William Spurlin, Thomas Spurlin, Edward Dumas, Bennie Dumas, Clara M Richardson, Jackie Dumas Sharpe; grandson Daniel Dumas.

Mr. Dumas is survived by his wife, Linda Dumas of Orange Beach, AL; children, Wanda Dumas of Trussville, AL; Michael (Kim) Dumas of Mobile, AL; Ivy Marlene (Jim) Campbell of Orange Beach, AL; Stevie (Cindy) Dumas of Trussville, AL; Anita Logan of Fairhope, AL; Greg (Lindsay) Dumas of Charlotte, NC; Eric (Raven) Dumas of St. Croix, U.S. V.I.; siblings, Vivian Dumas Payne of Grand Bay, AL, Jerrold O. Dumas of Miami, FL. He is also survived by 8 grandchildren: Jason (Sarah)Dumas, Matt Dumas, Lindsey (Todd) Jones, Sarah (Jack) Dumas Partlow, Mekenzie Dumas, Brandon Dumas, Clay Dumas, Ashlyn (Jesse) Dumas Hinrichsen, Isabella Dumas. Also 2 great grandchildren, Bailey Dumas, and Luc Dumas. Also, many nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly as well as numerous other relatives, friends and loved ones.

Mr. Dumas was a loving and gifted man. He possessed such a love for people never meeting a stranger and treated everyone as his best friend. Mr. Dumas never knew the word quit or cannot. Growing up in the rural south during challenging times, he was able to only complete the 8th grade. At 13, Ivy and his siblings were temporarily separated from their mother and sister who were hundreds of miles away in Miami, Florida, preparing so they could all be together there. Ivy was determined to get the family together, so he worked hard to raise money for he and his younger brother Benny to pay for a greyhound bus ticket. Leaving in the middle of the night, they went to where their mother was. Upon arriving in Miami, they lied about their age of 12 and 13 in order to be hired at a supermarket to help the family out. This is just one experience that demonstrates the dedication to family that has led to a legacy of great success in business as well as tremendous love of God and Family that continued to follow him throughout his life.

Ivy's uncompromising curiosity, dedication and commitment to success ultimately resulted in his creation of one of the world's largest and most successful furniture manufacturing operations of its time. While working at a Chemical Factory in McIntosh, AL there became a need to replace his deteriorated living room furniture. Due to limited finances, Mr. Dumas decided to take on the task of re-upholstering the furniture himself. The results were so good neighbors started to beg him to perform the same transformation on their furniture.

The demand was so great he rented a building and eventually began a full-time reupholstering business. Because of the very challenging conditions that Ivy and his brothers experienced growing up they possessed a love for each other that was unique. Wanting to share this opportunity with his brothers, Ivy reached out and they joined him to be part of the venture.

The business was located in Jackson, AL and continued to outgrow every facility they occupied which led to the purchase of a large parcel of land between Jackson and Grove hill, AL. Dumas Brothers Manufacturing Company became one of the primary manufacturers of living room furniture in the country. With the assembly line method of manufacturing, they were able to complete a three-piece living room suite approximately every minute and a half or less. Dumas Brothers Furniture was shipped all over the United States and abroad and frequently offered on the Price Is Right show in Hollywood.

While business success was a highlight of Mr. Dumas legacy, he was most proud of his family and friendships. He possessed the most welcoming personality and would light up anytime you were in his presence.

Ivy and his wife, Linda, settled in Orange Beach, AL with the intentions of full-time retirement. They spent some time traveling as well as time at their place in Beech Mountain where they enjoyed the seasons, fly fishing, etc. Ivy had purchased a boat and he loved taking people out on deep sea fishing excursions and enjoying the coast. It wasn't long before Ivy's entrepreneurial spirit and love of interacting with people led to the opening of one of his buildings and entering the retail furniture business as Southern Furniture Mart in Robertsdale, AL. Many years and relationships were experienced there before ultimately closing and finally experiencing full time retirement.

Ivy most enjoyed being surrounded by family and friends, and always hated to see you leave. He would not let you leave until you told him when you were coming back and repeated his favorite phrase, "I shall return". While the last few years were very difficult for Mr. Dumas and his family due to numerous health issues, his positive and determined spirit and fight would not surrender which led to a long life. It is comforting to know that due to his tremendous love for the Lord that he is now in the presence of the Lord and all the Loved ones that he cherished that preceded him. We are all encouraged to know that with the assurance our Lord has promised through salvation we will be together again in glory.

Funeral Service will be held Saturday, May 1, 2021 at Forest Avenue Baptist Church at 2:00 pm with Rev. Darrell Dumas officiating. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in Trinity Memorial Gardens immediately following the service. Online condolences may be left at https://www.lathanfuneralhome.com In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Ivy's memory to Alabama Baptist Children's Home, Ministry Development, 2681 Rocky Ridge Lane, Birmingham AL 35216, or donorservices@alabamachild.org