JoAnn Roberts

JoAnn Roberts, 72, of McAlester, died Saturday, April 4, 2009, at St. Johns Medical Center in Tulsa.The family will receive visitors from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Bishop Funeral Home.Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Bishop Chapel of Memories with the Rev. Jim Davidson officiating, assisted by the Rev. W. Lee "Dub" Brown. Burial will be at Memory Gardens Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Bishop Funeral Service of McAlester.Born Aug. 18, 1936, in Pittsburg, she was the daughter of Elbert and Lillian Richardson Edge. She lived her early years in the Ashland area until moving with her family to McAlester where she continued her early education.She graduated from McAlester High School in the Class of 1954 and was very active in 4-H Club.She married Kenneth Roberts on Aug. 7, 1954, in McAlester. She was first a homemaker, raising her children, then began a career with Dr. Robert Bartheld as a dental assistant. She worked for 26 years, retiring in 1994, at which time she and her husband began traveling and camping with the Indian Nation Chapter of the Good Sam RV Club. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2004.She enjoyed sewing and had been a longtime member of the First Baptist Church of McAlester.Survivors include her husband, Kenneth Roberts, of the home; a daughter and son-in-law, Pam and Jesse Simmons, of Oklahoma City; three sons and two daughters-in-law, Gary Roberts, of McAlester, Jeff and Sally Roberts, of McAlester, and Brian and Beth Roberts, of Muskogee.Also, nine grandchildren, Jessica Roberts, Kristin Squires, Britton Roberts, Kelley and Matt Andrews, Rowdy Peterson, Matt Peterson, Jake and Betsy Warren, Tiffany Scott and Veronica Warren.And, nine great-grandchildren, Kylar, Jaice, Aidyn, Brennen, Coltyn, Brayden, Jayden, Kason and Alex; two sisters, Celia Beth Brown and husband, Cecil, of Savanna, and Marilyn Tadla, Houston.And, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Phyllis Roberts, of McAlester, Willis and Dalline Roberts, of Owasso, and Lyle Nelson, of Muskogee; three aunts, Ida Faye Rock, of Tulsa, Velma Vieux, of Atoka, and Ruby Edge, of Norman; an uncle, Bill Richardson, of McAlester, and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.She was preceded in death by her parents, Elbert and Lillian EdgePallbearers will be Gary Roberts, Jeff Roberts, Brian Roberts, Britton Roberts, Jesse Simmons and Cecil Brown.Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Robert Bartheld, Patty Turner, Donna Lewis, Sue Marchant, Lou Darden and Members of the Adult No. 3 Department of the McAlester First Baptist Church.