Roberta Alice “Bert” (Gray) Graham was born June 25, 1934 to James and Mamie Gray in Greenwood, Missouri and departed this life on February 12, 2015 at her home in Pleasant Hill, at the age of 80 years, 7 months and 18 days.
In 1956 she was united in marriage to Carl (Toby) Graham, and they began their eventful life together, full of love, laughter and lots of good times.
Roberta was a “stay at home Mom” until her youngest started school, then she began working at Burlington Shirt Factory in Pleasant Hill, remaining there as a seamstress until the plant closed. She then went to work for the Pleasant Hill School District as a high school cook, where she worked for 10 years. After that, she became a care-giver for Eva Sharp and took care of her for 13 years. When Eva passed away, Roberta decided it was time to retire.
Toby and Bert, as she was best known, loved camping at Lake Pomme de Terre and owned property there for many years. She hated the water and would never get in it, but she always participated in the boating activities with her family. No one would ever know she didn’t like the water as she just went right down that bank and bailed right in the boat. She always made sure there was food and a place to sleep for everyone. Bert and Toby began showing their old cars at various car shows in the area. She really enjoyed the people she met and became friends with along the way. Some of those friends became like family to them.
Bert was preceded in death by her parent, James and Mamie Gray; three brothers, Bill Gray, Bud Gray and her twin brother, Bob Gray and one infant sister, Juanita.
She is survived by her husband, Carl (Toby) Graham of the home; two sons, Kenny (Jake) Graham and wife Dawn, and Steve Graham and wife Susan all of Pleasant Hill; three daughters, Nancy Quinn and husband Jim, Carla Brown and husband Barry and Alice Kingsolver and husband Chuck all of Pleasant Hill; one sister, Frances Redwine of Pleasant Hill, 7 grandchildren, 4 step grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, 6 step great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, other relatives and many, many friends.
Funeral Service for Roberta Alice “Bert” Graham has been scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Thursday, February 19, 2015 at the Wallace Funeral Home in Pleasant Hill with Rev. Tony Reynolds officiating. Burial will be in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery.
Casket Bearers will be Michael Brown, Perry Rhoads, Ron Darst, Dusty Beattie, Shaun Gentry and Terry Burns. Honorary Bearers are Jim Redwine and Bob Sipes.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 18 at the funeral home.
Contributions in memory of Roberta Alice “Bert” Graham may be made to Crossroads Hospice Charitable Foundation, 10810 E. 45th Street, Suite 300, Tulsa Oklahoma 74146 or may be left at the funeral home.