Betty Gale Bunch

Betty Gale Bunch, 91, of Texarkana, TX left her earthly life on December 9th and entered into the King of Glory’s house for eternity. Betty was born on April 25, 1934, in Tulsa, Oklahoma as the only child of John Howard and Opal Duncan.

After graduating from high school in Tulsa, Betty went to Oklahoma State University, where she proudly earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education. She worked her way through school as an elevator operator and a dormitory counselor. Betty had a deep love for children and, after graduating, became a 4th and 5th grade English teacher.

It was at OSU that Betty met the love of her life, Bob Bunch. Their story began when Betty asked Bob to vote for her as a class officer, a simple moment that blossomed into a 61-year marriage. Together, Betty and Bob were a remarkable team as parents, business owners, and loyal supporters of their community.

After their marriage, Betty and Bob purchased a small seed store in Texarkana, TX, which grew into what is known today as BWI Companies, Inc. Betty worked alongside Bob for 40 years and played an instrumental role in the growth and success of their family business.

Betty was a devoted member of Williams Memorial United Methodist Church for 67 years where she taught children’s Sunday School and attended Gleaners Sunday School Class. She served as a board member of the Methodist Retirement Community, was a Cub scout leader, served on various boards in the lawn and garden industry associations, participated in the Keep Texarkana Beautiful committee, and contributed to numerous other nonprofit organizations in the community.

Betty loved traveling and journaling her adventures and especially those shared with her grandchildren. Her other hobbies included playing bridge with a special group of friends for over 55 years, activities with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, gardening and working with plants, coordinating her church’s annual plant sale, and enjoying time at the lake with family and friends.

To know Betty was to love her. She made her community, her church, the lawn and garden industry and the world a better place in her 91 years. She was known for her kindness and thoughtfulness, always keeping sympathy and get-well cards nearby so she could send a handwritten note each day. Her love for Jesus was expressed by how she lived her life loving and supporting others.

Left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Nancy, and son-in-law, Grant Foreman of Dallas, TX; two sons and daughters-in-law, Robert and Becky Bunch of Nash, TX, and Jim and Cindy Bunch of Texarkana, TX. She also leaves behind six grandchildren and their spouses—Haley and Dana Cox of Texarkana, TX; Brent and Brittany Bunch of Texarkana; Karaline and Dan Putnam of Austin, TX; Betty Foreman of Minneapolis, MN; Harrison Foreman of Austin, TX; and Hannah and Jon Bowles of Texarkana, TX—along with eleven great-grandchildren.

Her family would like to offer special thanks to everyone who loved and supported her the last few years of her life, Cornerstone Retirement community and its great team, Hospice of Texarkana, her church family, and especially her wonderful and loving caregivers Carolyn, Barbara, Kiara, Jenetta, Edith and Kia.

Celebration of life service will be on Friday December 12th at 11:00 A.M. at Williams Memorial United Methodist Church, 4100 Moore’s Lane with Reverend Joe Stark & Jeff Gantz officiating. Visitation will be Thursday December 11th between 5 and 7 pm at East Funeral Home 2807 Moore’s Lane Texarkana, TX.

Memorials may be made to Cornerstone Retirement Community, 4100 Moore’s Lane, Texarkana, TX 75503, or Williams Memorial United Methodist Church, 4000 Moore’s Lane, Texarkana, TX 75503.

Job Well Done Thy Good and Faithful Servant of God on Earth and Welcome to God’s House for Eternity!

Online tributes can be posted at www.eastfuneralhome.com