Dawn Delynne Yarbrough-Zoppi Obituary

Dawn Delynne Yarbrough-Zoppi was born in Benton Harbor, the daughter of Charles and Mamie Yarbrough. Dawn lived in Milan, Italy and departed this life on Nov. 30, 2024.

A celebration of life service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, at the Secret Garden, 204 W. Main St., Benton Harbor.

Those wishing to sign Dawn’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.

Dawn attended and graduated from Benton Harbor High School and Eastern Michigan University, earning a degree in communication, radio, and TV broadcasting. She pledged Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and was the first black Miss Eastern Michigan University. She also helped create the EMU pom-pom squad.

Dawn interned with ABC-Detroit, worked for WSJM radio in Benton Harbor and Group W cable company. She lived in Los Angeles modeling, filming and doing art projects. A two-week group trip to Europe in 1988 led her to explore more opportunities living in Milan.

Dawn was a multi-talented artist/performer with experience as a recording artist, actress, runway model for Italian Designers, TV presenter and more. Dawn was a Christian who attended church regularly and believed and trusted in the Lord.

Dawn returned to Benton Harbor to participate in the rejuvenation of her hometown becoming a realtor specializing in Harbor Shores Real Estate.

Dawn’s family includes her husband, Giuliano Zoppi; their twins: Jasmine Alexandra and Michael Vincenzo, whom she loved and cherished; siblings: Nyles Charles Yarbrough, Antonio James (Belinda), Toia Reed, Kelly Johnson (Rahman) Mariah Black, Charmaine Virginia Johnson (Michael); her mother, Mamie Luella Nunley Yarbrough and her father, the late Charles Lee "Mickey" Yarbrough.