Roberta (Bobbie) Lea Dunbar, 86, of Richland passed away in her home, surrounded by her children, on Tuesday evening, Aug. 23, 2023. At the time of her passing, Bobbie was eighty-six years, nine months and nineteen days old.
Bobbie, as she was called by family and friends, was born to Robert Barlow and Rosemary Taft on Nov. 3, 1936 in Denver, Colo. She was raised in Denver and on June 13, 1954, she married her best friend and love of her life, Lawrence Dunbar. They were married in Denver at Westwood Baptist Church. Together they shared over sixty-one years of marriage and were blessed with three wonderful children, a son and two daughters.
Bobbie was preceded in death by her loving husband, Lawrence, on Feb. 23, 2016; and her son-in-law, Douglas Tucker.
She is survived by her son, Lance Dunbar and his wife, Tricia of Climax Springs; two daughters, Twila Gutherie and her husband, Christopher of St. Clara, Calif. and Myriah Lea-Tucker of British Columbia; eight grandchildren, Derrick, William, Kyle and Stephanie Dunbar, Erin and William Gutherie and Jarred and Kevin Coles; thirteen great-grandchildren and her brother, Merrill Barlow.
Bobbie and her husband, Larry, knew they wanted to return to the farm, so in 1979, they purchased land in the countryside between Richland and Lebanon, Missouri. In 1988, she and Larry returned to the farm and spent a couple of years building their home, a barn and outbuildings. On their farm they raised long horn cattle and enjoyed riding their horses.
Bobbie was a devoted wife and mother and loved her family deeply. She was a strong woman with good morals and cared about other people.
After moving to the Richland and Lebanon area, Bobbie was active with “Friends of the Library,’’ “Genealogy Society,’’ and the “Laclede Book Club.’’ She also served on the Republican Central Committee in the 1980’s and 1990’s.
She was loved by many and liked by all.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to “Friends of the Library” and made through the funeral home.
All services will be private for Bobbie Dunbar.
Arrangements are under the direction of Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Lebanon.
For more information or to visit the website go to www.holmanhowe.com.
