Hempstead church founder Essie Dunbar, 66

Essie Dunbar, a pastor who devoted her life to the Universal Tabernacle of Love, Peace & Joy Church in Hempstead, died at her home in Roosevelt on Tuesday after battling colon cancer for more than two years. She was 66.

Friends and relatives described Dunbar as a devout and spiritual woman whose lone interest was teaching the Bible and the messages of Jesus Christ.

"She had a great life," said the pastor's niece, Felicia Dunbar, of Freeport. "She taught and preached God's words."

Born in Uniondale, Dunbar worked at a young age as a clerk for Doubleday publishing in New York but soon felt a calling for the church, relatives said. Along with her mother, Anna, Dunbar formed a small prayer group more than 40 years ago at her family's home on Nostrand Avenue in Uniondale called the Cottage House of Prayer.

By 1980, the group had expanded, and members formed the Universal Tabernacle of Love, Peace & Joy Church on Jackson Street.

She was a fixture at the church, becoming a pastor 25 years ago and leading weekly Bible studies, prayer groups and weekend services.

Dunbar was not married and did not have children, but "her life was fulfilled," said Evelyn Laverne, a church member who knew Dunbar for almost 40 years. "There was complete satisfaction."

Cynthia Fitchett, a clerk and secretary at the church, knew Dunbar for 21 years and said the pastor was always humble, refusing to talk about herself. "She was kind and considerate," Fitchett said. "In all the years I have known her, I never saw her moody."

Dunbar was diagnosed with cancer in 2010 and given three months to live, said Felicia Dunbar.

Survivors include two brothers, John and Fred, both of Roosevelt; five nieces and five nephews.

Her funeral will be Sunday at 3 p.m. at Union Baptist Church in Hempstead. Burial will be at Greenfield Cemetery in Uniondale.