DR. MARY MARJORIE ROBERTS

Graveside services will be held Wednesday, June 22, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at Sweaney-Riverview Cemetery located on the banks of the Little Niangua River near Buffalo, Mo., under the direction of the Montgomery-Viets Funeral Home of Buffalo. The family expresses gratitude to the caring hospice team in her final days.

Mary Marjorie Roberts, 92, retired professor at the University of Missouri, died peacefully in her home in Columbia, Mo., surrounded by family on June 18, 2016, after a short illness.

Mary Marjorie Roberts was born Sept. 16, 1923, to Ray Henderson Southard and Grace (Sweaney) Southard in Buffalo, Mo.

She grew up on a farm during the Great Depression learning to cook at the age of 10 and graduated from Buffalo High School in 1941.

After a semester at Southwest Missouri State College (Now MSU) she married her high school sweetheart, Joseph Franklin Roberts III on Oct. 10, 1942, in Springfield, Mo. Frank was sent overseas with the Army Air Corps to the China Burma India Theater where he made over 40 trips over “The Hump” and received two Distinguished Flying Crosses.

Marjorie taught in the rural Dallas County, Missouri, schools until Frank’s return from service. He worked as an auditor in Springfield where their only child was born and Marjorie added to their income by selling homemade angel food cakes. Soon after they returned to Buffalo to both teach at Buffalo High School.

In 1953 they moved to Columbia, Mo., where Marjorie attended the University of Missouri while also teaching at the University Laboratory School and working as an assistant to Dr. Lois Knowles. The next year she was supervisor of English at the Laboratory School and at the same time was teaching a class in the College of Education. She received her Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, and Doctorate degrees from the university while assisting her husband in receiving his Doctorate degree first. During their years at the university they would meet daily for coffee in Jesse Hall.

Marjorie was a wonderful cook who loved to entertain and especially enjoyed the gatherings of her extended family of cousins. She had many talents and was an excellent pianist. She was involved in many organizations and served as president of: Pi Lamda Theta, Delta Kappa Gamma, Columbia Branch of American Assn. of University Women, Margaret Elwang Circle of Kings Daughters, Chapter Regent of Columbian Chapter Daughters of American Revolution and Moderator of First Presbyterian Church Women. She was listed in “Who’s Who in American Women.”

She retired from the university in 1985 as Professor Emeritus in English Education to spend time with her husband during his terminal illness.

When the University of Missouri Retirees Association (MURA) was organized Marjorie was a charter member and elected to its first Board of Directors remaining a life member.

Other organizations she belonged to were: Daughters of Union Veterans (being a granddaughter of a Union soldier), Daughters of the American Colonists, Eloise Haseman Circle Kings Daughters, Boone County Historical Society, life member of Dallas County Historical Society and First Presbyterian Church.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; her brothers: Robert Ray Southard and Henderson “Hank” Hobart Southard, and their wives Patricia and Charlotte.

Survivors include a daughter, Mary Jo Roberts of Columbia, Mo., and her friend Merlyn Wood of whom Marjorie was very fond and treated as a son; two nieces: Jeanne Southard Lavelle (Tim) and children, Jennifer and Brad Lavelle of Fairfax Va., and Judy Southard of Wilson, NC; cousin, Jerry Sweaney and wife Dorothy of Springfield, Mo.; and sister-in-law, Juanita Roberts of Springfield, Mo. Marjorie’s calm courage in the face of adversity is her legacy.

Contributions suggested to First Presbyterian Church, 16 Hitt St., Columbia, MO 65201; Guide Dogs for the Blind or Charity of one’s choice.

(Paid memorial provided by family and friends)