Roberta, I am going to miss you. You have been a great friend and prayer warrior. I'm happy for you that you are finally Home with Jesus. Looking forward to our reunion. Love, Sherral
In 1999 when I was contacting classmates for our 30-year class reunion, I called Roberta. She told me she wasn’t really interested in a reunion and probably would not attend, but she asked me if I had found her best friend from high school, Cathy Warnick. In fact, I had located Cathy’s husband living in Denton and discovered that Cathy had died only months earlier of breast cancer. Roberta was stunned and asked how many others in our class had died. There were quite a few! Being the caring, compassionate soul that Roberta was, she wanted to do something to honor those Rebel classmates. Hence, the idea of our “Memorial Wall”... Roberta was “hooked!” She was on a mission! She researched obituaries at the library and Amarillo Globe News for dates and specifics of as many as she could find. She contacted their families and requested information and photographs that she displayed on panels at the reunion. She filled baskets with blank cards where we could write messages and share memories of our deceased classmates which she later delivered to their spouses/families. As you can imagine, those families were touched, actually amazed, that our class was remembering and wanting to honor them. That was Roberta! Such a big heart! That project brought Roberta and I closer than we had ever been in high school. Roberta also “enlisted“ her sister (a photographer) to take photos at the reunion banquet at the Big Texan and make reprints available to anyone in our class that wanted them. Funny how things happen... Ultimately, Roberta became an integral part of the reunion she never intended to attend! At her invitation, I spent an extra day after the reunion with her and her husband, Nick, at their home on Calumet, and our friendship grew deeper. What a joy she was! It’s difficult to hold or maintain a friendship through years when separated by miles and time, but whenever I returned to or passed through Amarillo, if schedules permitted, we would meet for lunch or dinner. Occasionally I would call her from Dallas just to check in.... A few of months ago my phone called her... a “pocket call” (or “butt call” as my kids call them!) Anyway, when I realized she was being dialed and she answered, I confessed that it was an unintentional call. We laughed, shared our common frustration with technology and proceeded to talk for quite awhile, “catching up!” A business venture had failed, she had retired, and she and Nick had taken a “trip of a lifetime!” I had also retired, endured another failed marriage, etc... it was a long and wonderful reconnection. It was the last time I talked to her.... All because my phone decided to call her! Accident? Coincidence? She didn’t think so, and neither did or do I! When I learned last month that she was in the hospital, I called Nick, I sent a card, I prayed... Now what I have is the dear memory of one of the most compassionate souls I have ever known! Big heart! Solid gold! Just knowing her and the “goodness” she brought into this world, my world, was a blessing! She has now joined our classmates that she took such care to honor! It’s a growing group up there!! One heck of a reunion! But until I, myself join them, I’m sure gonna miss her down here! RIP, Roberta! Love ❤️ you!
What a lovely tribute, Vicki. I wish I had known her better. Thank you for sharing this story about Roberta. I know from others’ comments, she is now with her family and Savior. RIP Roberta. 🙏✝️🌹<>>
Sherral Tacquard (Bell)
Roberta, I am going to miss you. You have been a great friend and prayer warrior. I'm happy for you that you are finally Home with Jesus. Looking forward to our reunion. Love, SherralDeborah Denny (Dawson)
My prayers are with your family! May God provide you comfort.
Brenda Peterson
My prayers are for Roberta's family. She is now with our Lord. Brenda Peterson
Dena Wireman (Gann)
I am so sad to hear about Roberta's passing. We had lost touch over the years but had been good friends in past years when she had The Cakery.
Sherry Simms (Fleming)
Roberta will be greatly missed by her precious family and friends. Roberta was an awesome lady.I will miis her.
Vicki Nelson (Charlotta)
In 1999 when I was contacting classmates for our 30-year class reunion, I called Roberta. She told me she wasn’t really interested in a reunion and probably would not attend, but she asked me if I had found her best friend from high school, Cathy Warnick. In fact, I had located Cathy’s husband living in Denton and discovered that Cathy had died only months earlier of breast cancer. Roberta was stunned and asked how many others in our class had died. There were quite a few! Being the caring, compassionate soul that Roberta was, she wanted to do something to honor those Rebel classmates. Hence, the idea of our “Memorial Wall”... Roberta was “hooked!” She was on a mission! She researched obituaries at the library and Amarillo Globe News for dates and specifics of as many as she could find. She contacted their families and requested information and photographs that she displayed on panels at the reunion. She filled baskets with blank cards where we could write messages and share memories of our deceased classmates which she later delivered to their spouses/families. As you can imagine, those families were touched, actually amazed, that our class was remembering and wanting to honor them. That was Roberta! Such a big heart! That project brought Roberta and I closer than we had ever been in high school. Roberta also “enlisted“ her sister (a photographer) to take photos at the reunion banquet at the Big Texan and make reprints available to anyone in our class that wanted them. Funny how things happen... Ultimately, Roberta became an integral part of the reunion she never intended to attend! At her invitation, I spent an extra day after the reunion with her and her husband, Nick, at their home on Calumet, and our friendship grew deeper. What a joy she was! It’s difficult to hold or maintain a friendship through years when separated by miles and time, but whenever I returned to or passed through Amarillo, if schedules permitted, we would meet for lunch or dinner. Occasionally I would call her from Dallas just to check in.... A few of months ago my phone called her... a “pocket call” (or “butt call” as my kids call them!) Anyway, when I realized she was being dialed and she answered, I confessed that it was an unintentional call. We laughed, shared our common frustration with technology and proceeded to talk for quite awhile, “catching up!” A business venture had failed, she had retired, and she and Nick had taken a “trip of a lifetime!” I had also retired, endured another failed marriage, etc... it was a long and wonderful reconnection. It was the last time I talked to her.... All because my phone decided to call her! Accident? Coincidence? She didn’t think so, and neither did or do I! When I learned last month that she was in the hospital, I called Nick, I sent a card, I prayed... Now what I have is the dear memory of one of the most compassionate souls I have ever known! Big heart! Solid gold! Just knowing her and the “goodness” she brought into this world, my world, was a blessing! She has now joined our classmates that she took such care to honor! It’s a growing group up there!! One heck of a reunion! But until I, myself join them, I’m sure gonna miss her down here! RIP, Roberta! Love ❤️ you!
Brenda Box (Bristol)
What a lovely tribute, Vicki. I wish I had known her better. Thank you for sharing this story about Roberta. I know from others’ comments, she is now with her family and Savior. RIP Roberta. 🙏✝️🌹<>>