Roberta Jean Dunbar

Roberta “Bobbi” Jean Lenth Dunbar of North Richland Hills, Texas, was a shining star to her family and friends for 80 years. She went to be with her Lord and Savior peacefully on February 5, 2025, after a lengthy battle with dementia. Bobbi was a beloved and devoted wife, sister, aunt, mom, grandmother, volunteer, and dear friend. She brought so much joy, warmth, a loving smile, and spirit to everyone who knew her.

Bobbi was born on December 2, 1944, in Chicago, Illinois, to Jean and Robert Lenth and her big sister, Judith. She graduated from Crystal Lake High School, where she lent her angelic voice to choirs, glee clubs, and church events. During the summers, she worked as a swimming instructor for the local park district. She continued her education at the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, graduating with a degree in Elementary Education.

While at the University of Wisconsin, she was a member of the Alpha Sigma sorority, and through social events and a blind date, she met her beloved husband, Martin Walter Dunbar. Bobbi began her teaching career in the Brookfield, Wisconsin, school district, where she loved her students. She always loved giving her students hugs, which was always the highlight of her school days. During this time in Brookfield, she and Martin became engaged, and while Martin was away at Vietnam, she planned their wedding.

Bobbi and Martin were married on June 22, 1968 in Crystal Lake, Illinois, upon his return from Vietnam. They were married for 56 years and had a beautiful life together and raised three wonderful children, Robert Roy, Martin Michael, and Erin Elizabeth. Their faith, their children, and their six grand-blessings were absolutely everything to them.

After they married, Bobbi continued her teaching career at the Marine Corps Schools in Quantico, Virginia.When Martin and Bobbi moved back to Crystal Lake, she paused her teaching career to raise their family. While raising their three children, Bobbi remained active by playing adult soccer, tennis, and even modeling for a local boutique.

Upon relocating to Texas, they settled their family in Southlake, Texas, where Bobbi resumed her teaching career in Southlake Carroll ISD, where her children went to school, and where she taught middle school. She taught for 14 years, before retirement.

She was a devoted member of White’s Chapel Methodist Church for over 40 years, where she found immense joy in singing with the chancel choir. She was part of the choir when it was just a handful of members in the original little white chapel.

Bobbi had a deep love for family and friends, and made every gathering, especially the holidays, a very special event. She went through many wooden serving spoons-some used in the traditional way, others for the occasional discipline of her rambunctious children. As a parent, and a mother-in-love, she modeled Godly love for her children and grand-blessings, and there was never a limit on what she would do for them. She is lovingly known for having long conversations and never being short on questions. She truly was invested and devoted to those she loved.

Bobbi also had a passion for travel and saw much of the world with her husband, but her favorite moments were always returning home to her children and grandchildren. She was an amazing Grandmother in every sense of the word, whether teaching her grandchildren how to play the toy piano, helping them learn to swim, or cheering them on at their sporting events.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Martin; her precious daughter, Erin Elizabeth, of Denton, Texas, her son, Rob Dunbar and daughter-in-love Celeste, of Highland Village, Texas, and their three children Benjamin Robert, Brynn Campbell, and Brooke Cristina. Her son, Reverend Marty Dunbar and daughter-in-love Jami, of Klein, Texas, and their three children Jillian Jordan Dunbar Petter and husband, Nicholas, Noah Michael, and Grayson Alexander. She is also survived by her nieces Donna Briggs, Denyse Madsen, and Sara Brosam.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jean and Robert Lenth, her sister, Judith Lenth Lindsay, and her in-laws, Roy and Mary Dunbar.

No matter how far she traveled, her memories will be with us forever in the baggage car of life. She will be greatly missed, our dearest Bobbi.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to the White’s Chapel Methodist Church chancel choir, which was very near and dear to Bobbi’s heart.

Bobbi’s celebration of life will be held on Friday, March 7, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. in the Grace Chapel at White’s Chapel Methodist Church located at 185 S. White Chapel Blvd in Southlake, Texas.