Roberta J. Howard (Seymour)'s Obituary
Roberta Howard, beloved mother, ‘MeMa’, sister and friend, unexpectedly departed this earthly life on Friday, October 23, 2015, in her home in Seymour, Missouri. Roberta was seventy-four years, ten months and five days young at the time of her passing.
One of three children, she was born Roberta Juanita Smith on December 18, 1940, in Howards Ridge, Missouri, to Homer and Felma (Baxter) Smith. On her sixteenth birthday, Roberta married the love of her life, Warren Paul Howard, and to this union a son and two daughters were born. The Howards made Springfield, Missouri, their home where Roberta was a dedicated wife, mother and homemaker. She and Warren continued to share 25 wonderful years together until his passing in April of 1981.
Roberta, or ‘MeMa’ as she was known to most, was a devoted, loving and hands-on mother and grandma. Her days and years were filled spending time with and attending the activities of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Roberta was also ‘MeMa’ to many others and she welcomed them into her heart and home as her own.
Her devotion carried over into loyalty as a member of the United Daughters of the Confederacy. It was Roberta’s passion to make sure all veterans, current and past, had the small things in life that they needed.
In addition to her parents, Roberta was preceded in death by her husband, Warren Howard; her son, Ricky Howard; and one brother, Elbert Smith.
She is survived by two daughters, Lesley Howard of Marshfield, and Carmen Boring and husband, Ellis, of Seymour; six grandchildren, David Howard and wife, Odessa, of Rogersville, Missouri; Steven Howard of Springfield; Leah Welch and husband, James, of Marshfield, Missouri; Lance Bryant and wife, Breanna, of Marshfield; Jake Boring of Seymour; and Bailey Boring, also of Seymour; five great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Mary Howard of Springfield; brother, Ed Smith of Gainesville, Missouri; sister-in-law, Mae Howard of Clarkridge, Arkansas; several nieces and nephews, and many, many dear friends and neighbors.
Roberta J. Howard will be fondly remembered as ‘MeMa’ to all. Her heart and spirit touched those who knew her. She told it like it was and was respected for it. She loved her family more than life and they knew it. Roberta’s years here created so many loving and happy memories for family and friends, and they will be treasured in their hearts forever.
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