Clara Gay Roberts

Clara Gay O'Keefe Roberts, 89, passed away on October 1, 2025, in Tyler, Texas surrounded by her family. A graveside memorial service celebrating her life will be held at Roselawn Cemetery under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home on Saturday October 4, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. with Dr. Bob Roberts, Jr., officiating. Gay was born on March 20, 1936, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi to James Elwood O'Keefe and Annie Clarene (Sharp) O'Keefe and spent her formative years in Hattiesburg where she accepted Christ at an early age. Prior to moving to the Beaumont area in her teenage years, Gay had lived in New York City and San Francisco. Gay met her future husband, Bob Roberts, Sr. while both were attending Beaumont High School. They were married on February 26, 1954, and recently celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary earlier this year. Her husband was called to the ministry while still in high school and after the couple married, they moved to Waco, Texas where Bob attended Baylor University and Gay worked at Hillcrest Baptist Hospital to help put him through college. While still in Baylor, Bob began preaching at small churches in and around the Waco area with Gay and their new baby daughter Sandy, always by his side. After graduation from Baylor, the couple moved to their first full time pastoral posting in Silsbee, Texas. From there, the Bob and Gay successively served at Baptist churches in Winnie, Corsicana, Wichita Falls, Port Acres, and finally at First Baptist Church in Lindale, Texas. At all these churches, Gay was always a tremendous help to her husband's pastorate. She taught Sunday School, sang in the choir and ministered to the various congregations in her own loving and special way – all while maintaining a busy parsonage and being a dedicated mother to her four children. After leaving First Baptist Lindale, Bob and Gay founded Christian Foundations of Faith and thereafter devoted themselves to evangelism and mission work. Beginning in 1980, the couple's mission work was centered in the country of Belize, Central America and continued there until Bob passed away on June 13 of this year. During her long years serving as a missionary alongside her husband, Gay developed a lasting love for the people of Belize, and they loved her in return. For many years, Gay kept up a correspondence ministry with Belizean women who were incarcerated and many of their lives were changed due to her dedication and love for these women. While in Belize, and as she had done at the many churches where she previously served, Gay was always a constant source of support, assistance and encouragement to her husband and his ministry. Gay was a beautiful, classy lady who loved and cared for her family very deeply. She was devoted to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and reflected the attributes of a Godly woman in everything she did, everything she said, and everything she thought. She will be keenly missed by her children, grandchildren, extended family, her many friends, and by all who knew her. Gay is survived by her daughter Sandra Roberts Tindel and husband Andy Tindel of Tyler, Texas; son Dr. Bob Roberts, Jr. and wife Nikki of Keller, Texas; son Mark Roberts of Houston, Texas; and daughter Sheila Germany and husband Bobby of Lindale, Texas. Also granddaughter Bethany Sanghani (Nirav) of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; grandson Samuel Germany of Tyler; Texas; grandson Benjamin Roberts (Sarah) of Keller, Texas; granddaughter Jill Hunter (Chase) of Fort Worth, Texas; granddaughter Grace Roberts of San Antonio, Texas; and granddaughter Clara Thomas (Jonathan) of Dallas, Texas; great-grandchildren Moses Roberts, Esther Roberts, Luke King, Naomi Hunter, Zelda Sanghani, and Ronen Sanghani; sister Linda White (Max) of Beaumont, Texas, numerous nieces and nephews and host of friends. Gay was predeceased by her parents, brother Jimmy O'Keefe, and her husband Bob Roberts, Sr. Pallbearers will be Benjamin Roberts, Samuel Germany, Jonathan Thomas, Kenneth Bibby, Gary Camp, Jason White, Matthew Connor, Robert Parks and Roger Jonker. Honorary pallbearers are Thomas Arrington, Dr. Royal Becker and Robbie Poteet. The family would also like to express their heartfelt thanks to the physicians, nurses and staff of Hospice of East Texas for the excellent care Gay received during her final days. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to support the Belize Food Kitchen in Belize City that Bob and Gay founded and supported for many years. You can donate by sending a check made out to GlocalNet and putting "Belize Food Kitchen" in the memo line and mailing it to 1870 Rufe Snow Drive, Keller, Texas762248. You may also make an online donation to the Belize Food Kitchen at http://www.glocal.net/belize, or by donating to the charity of your choice.