Earnest Dunbar

Funeral Services at Bible Baptist Church, Walters, Monday, November 18, 2019 at 2:00 p.m., Rev. John Carlisle officiating with burial in the Walters Cemetery under the direction of Hart-Wyatt Funeral Home. Donation can be made to Bible Baptist Church, Walters.

Earnest Lee “Cotton” Dunbar was born to Harold Earnest and Myrtle Lee (Brownlee) Dunbar on December 19, 1937 in Walters, OK at “Snuff Ridge” and departed this life in Lawton, OK on November 12, 2019 at the age of 81 years, 10 months and 24 days.

Earnest grew up at Walters but for a short time spent in the Liberty Village area of Fort Worth, TX. He graduated from Walters High School in 1957 having already married Betty Louise Waitman on October 3, 1956 at Duncan, OK. To the union 3 children were born. The family made their home at Walters and Earnest pursued a career in paint and drywall, working 26 years in the trade with Civil Service at Fort Sill. He also did local work under the name of Cotton’s Painting for many years.

Earnest was a member of Bible Baptist Church. As a kid he enjoyed participating Boy Scouts and loved airplanes, receiving his pilots license at age 14. As an adult he enjoyed crafting. Earnest served his country honorably in the Oklahoma National Guard.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Mary Lois Dunbar.

Survivors include his wife Betty of the home; 3 children and spouses, Terry and Loretta Dunbar of Walters, Cindy and Howard Hayes of Tulsa, OK, Susan and Shannon Walker of Welch, OK; 7 grandchildren and spouses, Amy and Ronnie Harner of Miami, OK, Casey Dunbar and Bill Milam of Mexia, TX, Clayton and Ashley Dunbar of Lawton, Zachary Hayes and Jacob Hayes both of Tulsa, Brody Walker and Josie Walker both of Welch; 6 great grandchildren, Cierra and husband Josh, Samantha, Briah, Ryder, Dakota and Wyatt; 2 great grandchildren, Konnor and Kolson; other relatives and a host of friends.