Roberta Ruth Smith
Roberta Ruth Smith, nee Lancaster, of Bourbon, MO was born on Wednesday, February 7, 1934 to Robert Reese Lancaster and Eva Marie Lancaster, nee Summers. She passed away on Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at Sarasota Memorial Hospital in Sarasota, FL at the age of 89 years, 11 months and 9 days.
Roberta graduated from Vanduser High School in Vanduser, MO. She married the love of her life, James “Jim” Henry Smith, on October 5, 1968 at the 1st Baptist Church of Bourbon, MO and together they had three children. Jim would make Roberta laugh by telling others they “had a marriage like ice cream…..rocky road.” Roberta had worked for The McDonnell Aircraft Corporation in St. Louis, MO and later retired from the Sullivan Elementary School where she worked as secretary. Roberta attended The Church of Christ in Sullivan, MO. She loved her church and devotedly read her bible every night before she went to bed. Roberta enjoyed her flower gardens while living on the farm, doing jigsaw puzzles, watching Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy and westerns. She loved the beach, traveling and going on cruises with Jim; for the last 10 years they would spend the winters in Florida. Most of all, Roberta loved her family and spending time with them. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin and friend.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert & Eva Lancaster; parents-in-law Howard and Hazel Jo Smith; sons Dean Vaughn and Doug Vaughn and 5 siblings.
Roberta is survived by her loving husband of 55 years, Jim Smith of Bourbon, MO; daughter Kelly (Walt) Bauer of Wildwood, MO; daughters-in-law Kathy Vaughn of Sullivan, MO and Diane Vaughn of Bourbon, MO; brother John (Joyce) Lancaster of Denver, CO; 7 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Visitation is from 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM on Tuesday, January 23, 2024 at Hutson Funeral Home, Cuba, MO. Funeral Service is at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, January 24, 2024 at Hutson Funeral Home in Cuba, MO with Jerry Jacques officiating. The Funeral Service will be livestreamed on Hutson Funeral Home in Cuba, MO's Facebook Page beginning at 10:55 AM. Burial will be at Lea Cemetery in Leasburg, MO. Donations in Roberta's honor may be given to the Bourbon Thrift Shop (mail to PO Box 1031 Bourbon, MO 65441).
Arrangements under the direction of Hutson Funeral Home, Cuba, MO.