Jeraldine \Jerry\ Rodgers Dunbar, 80, of Austin, formerly of Big Spring, died Saturday, October 17, 2015 in an Austin nursing home. Graveside funeral services will be held at 4:00 PM Tuesday, October 20, 2015 at the Peace Chapel at Trinity Memorial Park.The family will receive friends from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM Tuesday, October 20, 2015 at the funeral home.Jerry was born November 16, 1934 in Merkel, Texas. She grew up in Abilene, Texas at the Hendrick Home for Children along with seven of her nine siblings. She arrived at the home at a tender age of seven years old. Jerry graduated from high school in 1955 at Abilene High and then went on to college at Hardin Simmons University in Abilene, Texas for two years. In her young years she raised her two daughters, Pacca and Felecia, and helped put her children’s father through college and law school. Mother was a devoted Mom, she was our family's biggest cheerleader!In 1974 Jerry met the love of her life, Virgil Preston Dunbar, Jr., they were married for 34 years. Jerry and Preston worshipped at the First Baptist Church where Jerry was always busy with her sisters in Christ, Sunday school class and Preston was a deacon and proudly sang in the choir. Many happy times were spent at their beloved church with friends and family. Nothing gave them greater joy than to listen to their daughter, Felecia Ford sing at church. What sweet days they were!In 2006 Preston and Jerry moved to Austin, Texas to be near Pacca and Felecia.Jerry is survived by two daughters, Pacca Conrad of Austin and Felecia Ford of Santa Fe, New Mexico; three granddaughters; four great-grandchildren; three sisters, Helen Peterson of Beaumont, Betty Lou Bettencourt of Rising Star and Dodie Rosenbaum of Grapevine; and 27 nieces and nephews.The family suggests memorial donations to The Hendrick Home for Children, 2758 Jeanette St., Abilene, Texas.Arrangements under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Big Spring. Online condolences may be made at: www.npwelch.com,
