Betty Dunbar

OKLAHOMA CITY - Betty June Smith Dunbar was born in Oklahoma City, OK on December 31, 1929 and passed away peacefully on February 3, 2023. Her parents were Robert Theo and Adda Mae Verser Smith. She attended OKC schools – Hawthorn, Taft, and Classen. She went on to Oklahoma College for Women in Chickasha, OK and then graduated from Oklahoma City University. Preceded in death by her parents, siblings Lloyd Nordale, Billy Bob, and Dorothy Vernel Hall. As well as her husband Russell Dunbar and daughters Cynthia Dunbar and Deborah Dunbar Dean. She is survived by her daughter Pamela Dunbar, granddaughters Michele Dean and Courtney Dean Chancey and husband Denton, and Elise Dean, and great-grandchildren Cora, Graham, Eleanor, and Hannah Chancey, and many nieces and nephews. Special family includes Phil and Marsha Dean, Dianne Dunbar, and Stan Solo. Betty met Russell while in high school, married while in college, and had 39 years together before his death. Betty loved teaching. She retired after 42 years at Kaiser Elementary School where the library was named after her. She was named an Excellent Educator for OKC schools in 1995. She still substituted and donated many hours as an aide until she turned 90. She was a member of Twin Hills Golf and Country Club for almost 50 years. Her church, First Baptist of OKC, was very important to her as was working with youth on ski and choir trips, going to Falls Creek as a counselor and cook, teaching children, and cooking with mobile meals. In all, she was a member for over 73 years. Three special joys of Betty were knowing many missionaries, visiting where many explorers traveled in Europe, North America, and South America, and walking on real moon rocks with NASA. Betty was always curious to learn about new things and instilled this love of learning in her family and all she taught. Her love, faithfulness, and enthusiasm for life will forever impact those who knew her. A visitation for Betty will be held Friday, February 10, 2023 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Memorial Park Funeral Home, 13313 N. Kelley, Oklahoma City, OK 73131. A funeral service will be held Saturday, February 11 at 10:00am in the Louise Prichard Chapel at First Baptist Church of OKC with graveside services to follow at 1:30pm at Memorial Park Cemetery. Flowers may be sent to Memorial Park Funeral Home and donations may be made to First Baptist Church of OKC or Kaiser Elementary School Library.