Tamara Dunham

Tamara’s smile.

Whenever anyone remembers Tamara C. Dunham, they will remember her infectious smile.

  Tamara C. Dunham was born to Eleanor (Michael) McClarin and Ernest (Cynthia) Thomas on October 1, 1975. Tamara, lovingly known as “Tam”, was born and raised in Gary, Indiana by her parents, Eleanor, and Michael McClarin. Tamara graduated from William A. Wirt High School, Class of 1994.

    After high school, Tamara attended Indiana State University, graduating with her Bachelor of Science degree in Communications in December 1999. She later pursued and completed her Master of Business Administration degree from University of Phoenix in August 2015.

    Tamara gave birth to her amazing daughter, Reagan Jarrett, in August of 1997. Tamara, the wonderful mother that she was, met the love of her life, Jason Dunham, in 2010, marrying him in 2015. With this union, Tamara would extend her love as a mother to Destiny and Cherish Dunham and as a grandmother to her grandsons, Jovan and Josiah Adams. Tamara mothered all three of her daughters and her grandchildren with grace, generosity and love.

    Tamara and Jason were the perfect duo. With Jason, Tamara found the imperfectly perfect mate. Tamara and Jason would explore the world hand and hand, with Tamara being the planner of the time and the place. Tamara and Jason loved to visit different places, going on tours, eating the food and exploring each place’s unique cultures.

    Tamara pledged Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Incorporated, Beta Beta Chapter in the Fall of 1995. She’d later join the Alpha Sigma Chapter of Indianapolis, Indiana. Through her membership in the sorority, Tamara held various positions, including Basileus of the Beta Beta Chapter during her undergraduate years. Sorors who knew and loved Tamara also remember her smile and quiet, but strong spirit. She was loved by her Sorors, some fondly remembering her as the “researcher”. Sorors could always find Tamara walking around campus with notebooks containing little known historical facts and hanging out in the library.

    Tamara joined what is now known as CNO Financial in 2003, starting off within the company as a Life Claims Adjuster. She was promoted to Senior Claims Adjuster and then Lead Claims Adjuster, ultimately being promoted to Claims Support Supervisor. Within her various roles in the company, Tamara would earn multiple certifications, including AIRC, ALHC, ACS and becoming a Fellow in CNO’s Life Management Institute. With nearly twenty years with CNO Financial, Tamara was known as a true leader, quietly guiding, advocating and supporting team members with love and compassion. Tamara was ingrained within the CNO family. Tamara was known to many as a fierce and courageous leader who advocated for and led several company committees, including being a founding member of CNO’s BRG Women of Color Group, member of the BRG African American Group and President of Toast Masters.

    Tamara was committed to her walk with Yahushua. She could often be found praying, reading and enjoyed aligning the teachings of the Bible to her everyday walk of life. Tamara prayed for and loved her friends and family fiercely, even while taking her last breath.

Tamara was a wonderful, compassionate, elegant and conservative daughter, sister, mother, wife and friend. Those that loved her will remember the unique, loving relationship that she had with each of us. We will miss her, cherish her and love her as long as our hearts beat and our minds remember.