Janet Lynn Dunbar

Janet Lynn Dunbar passed away peacefully in her home in Waynesville, Missouri, surrounded by family on Thursday, January 23, 2025 at the age of 65 after a courageous battle with Glioblastoma. Janet was born on April 9, 1959 in Little Rock, Arkansas. She grew up on a rice and bean farm in Holly Grove, AR. Janet has fond memories of her early childhood living on the farm close to all her family and spending time with her siblings, Stephen and Melinda, and numerous cousins. She met her high school sweetheart and future husband, Mike Dunbar, at the age of 15, in a roller-skating rink. She attended high school at Marvell Academy where she won the Junior Miss Central Arkansas and was selected as Homecoming Queen. Janet attended the University of Central Arkansas where she was a member of the Delta Zeta Sorority and voted the most beautiful Greek on campus. Shortly after college, Janet and Mike were married on May 25, 1980. Janet selflessly worked numerous jobs to pay for Mike’s law school including: Executive Assistant to a major fishing rod/tackle company, executive assistant to a large manufacturing corporation, station manager at a radio station, among others. After completing law school Janet and Mike moved to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri where their son Chris was born. Janet was the most incredibly devoted mother and would do absolutely anything for Chris who was her pride and joy. Chris had many medical problems as a child and we have no doubt that he is alive today because of her unwavering love, devotion, and care. After Mike ended his military service, the Dunbars made Waynesville-St. Robert their permanent home. Janet and Mike have always talked about how fortunate they are to be part of such a wonderful community. Janet received the Fort Leonard Wood spouse appreciation award for assisting families and service members, was a proud member of the Waynesville Park Board for many years, performed in several plays with the Pulaski County Fine Arts Association, and was long time member of the choir at Waynesville United Methodist Church. She loved being a part of her book club. Janet opened a small gift store on the second floor of First State Bank. Her business blossomed and she opened her own home décor and gift shop Designs from Nature in Waynesville, or as her friends liked to call it: “Janet’s”. Janet had an incredible talent for decorating. Her vision and attention to detail were truly remarkable. Many homes in the Waynesville-St. Robert area still have one of Janet’s beautiful arrangements, a loving reminder of the impact Janet had on so many lives. Janet embodied the definition of compassion and empathy. Her kind-hearted nature and sweet smile could light up a room. Her soul was pure and her genuine love for God, family, and friends was undeniable. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, fun grandmother, protective big sister, faithful daughter, loyal friend, dedicated business owner, talented decorator, devout Christan, and so much more. Janet never forgot a face or a name. She would call everyone by their first name and would always ask about them or their family. One of Janet’s greatest joys was being a grandmother. She was known to her adoring grandchildren Mason, Sophie, and Logan, as “Poppy.” Poppy quickly became the endearing name that most everyone calls her today. The love Poppy had for her grandkids was truly special. Sophie and Poppy have so many similar characteristics, from her smile to her spunky attitude, but one thing Sophie will carry with her forever is Janet’s middle name, Lynn. Janet’s fight with Glioblastoma was one of courage, strength, determination, and faith. Even as a patient Janet had a profound impact on complete strangers. She was honored by the University of Missouri School of Medicine by receiving the Legacy Teacher Award. This award was created to recognize patients who had a lasting impact on physicians in training. Janet was the first awardee in history to be nominated by two unrelated medical students. They wrote: “I was struck at how someone who has gone through so much can remain so positive; how someone who has had so much taken from them can still give so much kindness and enthusiasm… I will never forget her kindness, resilience, and willpower.” Towards the end of her life Janet displayed an incredible amount of bravery. She would often say how much she loved her family and friends, how proud she was of her family, and that she had a beautiful life…a perfect life. She said that she was at peace with what she was facing and that “I am ready to go if God is ready to take me. There is no need to be scared or sad, God will protect you when I am gone.” She always wanted everyone to “Feel the prayers, the love, the peace, and the light.” We want to thank all the wonderful people who have supported our family through prayer, friendship, acts of kindness, meals, cards, messages, phone calls, visits, and gifts. You have given Janet the immeasurable gift of knowing how much she was loved. Janet is preceded in death by her father Donald Miller; father-in-law Raymond Dunbar; grandparents Howard and Roberta Gibbs and Marvin and Virginia Faye Miller; and uncles David Gibbs and Roy Cooper. Janet is survived by her husband, Michael Dunbar, Waynesville, MO; son Christopher Dunbar and wife Brooke, of Evans, GA; grandchildren Mason, Sophie, and Logan Dunbar of Evans, GA ; mother Shirley Miller of Kilgore, TX, siblings Stephen Miller and wife Beverly of Valencia, CA and Melinda Coop and husband Timothy of Gladewater, TX; mother-in-law Barbara Dunbar of Texarkana, TX ; brothers and sisters in law Doug and Sharon Dunbar of Manassas, VA and Butch and Martha Dunbar of Texarkana, TX; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Celebration of Life services were held at 12:00 p.m. Saturday, January 25, 2025 in the Waypoint Church of Waynesville with Pastor Brett Reith officiating. Janet's brother-in-law, Timothy Coop read the obituary and gave a beautiful eulogy of Janet's life. Janet's sister: Melinda Coop, her brother: Stephen Miller, along with her son: Chris and husband: Mike, recalled their wonderful memories of Janet. The recorded songs "The Prayer" by Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion, and "Goodness of God" by CeCe Winans were played. Soloist Becky Lercher sang "Celebrate Me Home" and a recording of Janet singing "Traces of Heaven" was played to conclude the service. Pianist David Lawson played the prelude and postlude. Serving as escorts were Rick Vernon, Keith Pritchard, Roberto Dacamara, Colin Long, Bob Bishop, Rob Wilson, Ed Fisher, Keith Dupont, Steve Young, and Kevin Pritchard. Honorary escorts were the late Richard McKinnon and the late Beth Deering, along with Janet's book club: Barb Pritchard, Cheryl Vernon, Kristie McKinnon, Tami LaMar, Jinnie Alexander, Cindy Grizzell, Judy Fisher, Becky O'Riley, Susie Shultz, Clarissa Guffey, and Connie Trower. Burial followed in the Sunset Memorial Estates Cemetery of Waynesville. Services were under the care and direction of Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville / St. Robert. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Janet Dunbar to the Salvation Army, Waynesville R-VI School Foundation, or the Chamber of Commerce and may be left at Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville / St. Robert or at Waypoint Church the day of the service.

Janet Lynn Dunbar

April 9, 1959 - January 23, 2025