Royetta Marie Hart

HART, Royetta Marie (1949-2025)
Royetta Marie Hart (75), returned to God peacefully in her own home in Antelope after a very shocking and unexpected diagnosis of stomach cancer which had spread to the liver, only two weeks prior to her passing on October 8th 2025.
She was born in Colusa, CA on December 22nd 1949 to Gertrude Gould Dunham Shields Larson and Roy Conrad Larson (aka Grover Conrad Bolte). Royetta was involved in 4-H, and attended Dry Creek Elementary, Westside Elementary, Rio Linda Junior and Senior High Schools all in Rio Linda, CA before studying cosmetology at Salvadores in Sacramento. She enjoyed growing up and regularly visiting/playing with her sister Janet, many cousins (Jean, Ray, Nancy, Jim, Ron), niece Kathy and nephew Jack.
Royetta met the love of her life, Tom (aka Tommy as she liked to call him), in Sacramento by mutual friends, but were initially dating other people. Once Tommy was compelled to inform Royetta that her current "boyfriend" was in fact playing the field, they became closer friends, until they were married on 9/6/1969 in Sacramento, CA. Soon after they moved back to Arkansas for about three years to be with his family, and so Tommy could pursue additional schooling and career aspirations while Royetta had various jobs such as an automotive parts clerk. After about three years Royetta wanted to move back to CA and they lived in a Senior Mobile Home park in Orangevale, CA where Tommy was a self-employed mobile home handyman, and then finally purchased their final home in Antelope, CA in 1989.
For more than 30 years, Royetta had a career as a hairdresser working at various salons in the Sacramento/Citrus Heights/Roseville area and still maintained that title throughout her retirement for several grateful family members. As her sister Janet said, "being a hairdresser was in Royetta's blood. Even at an early age, Royetta enjoyed playing with her dolls and especially brushing their hair so much, that they would become bald".
As a hairdresser, Royetta would come home with many new hairstyles/shades, some were homeruns, some not as much, but she was never afraid to try new styles and looks. But nothing was as extreme as the time she changed herself from brunette, to blonde, and her husband Tommy nearly did not recognize his own wife! From that day on, his brunette wife became a blonde. Her sister Janet told her she now "looked like a Swede" (since she was tall and now blonde), and they later found out from DNA testing that they do have about 30% Swedish genetic background after all.
Royetta also had a knack for style and the latest trends. She was known for her love of vibrant colors as seen in the flowers around the garden, bouquets in her home, and in her wardrobe. She especially liked and was well known for her colorful matching jewelry,
especially those with a heart design, to coincide with her last name. She also had a multitude of watches for every outfit, and endless scarves for every color/occasion.
"Doctor Roy" was a nickname used by many of her family and friends. If they were sick, she would do her best to read up on and understand their condition. She would also check on any prescription side effects and warnings to help them understand what things to watch out for and be careful of. She strived to keep her and Tommy in the best of health through nutrition and physical activities, as well as keeping up with the latest health advice and trends. She would often visit her sister with new health supplements to try, whether Janet thought she needed it or not. Royetta was also a magnet to those in need and would never fail to provide much needed encouragement/spiritual guidance to friends/family throughout her entire life, and had a gift of making people feel heard, loved and supported.
Through the years Royetta enjoyed many hobbies/crafts, including macrame, tole painting, gardening and shopping (she couldn't turn down a great deal and especially loved Costco). She also stayed fit with regular walks around the neighborhood herself or with friends, always with a smile on her face and a friendly wave hello, to whomever passed by. Royetta also became an avid bike rider and would ride ten miles at a time, even in the last month before her diagnosis. But no one can deny that she especially loved camping and the outdoors. Every trip included her cooking fried potatoes and onions on a cast iron skillet over a campfire and numerous hikes exploring the areas' natural beauty. Even later in life, when most people preferred to ditch their tent/camper for a hotel, Royetta insisted on keeping their camper for continued trips, especially to the coastal Redwoods in northern California/southern Oregon.
Royetta and Tommy never had children of their own but were like second parents to niece and nephew Donna and Jerry as they grew up and provided much guidance to them through the years. Royetta also watched over and cared for her great-niece Bailey part time for several years until she started school. Royetta often mentioned that caring and watching her grow was one of the most precious and cherished experiences in her and Tommy's life. Royetta was a true matriarch in the family. She would always take the time to check in on how family members were doing, and relay info to others as needed and provide thoughtful guidance when requested. She was the glue keeping everyone together, a trait valued by all who knew her.
As a young adult, Royetta attended a church revival and was hooked ever since. She became a devoted Christian who cherished her Bible and the teachings of Jesus Christ. Her newlywed husband, Tommy, was not as easily convinced early on in their relationship, but with Royetta's love and persistence, he too became devout. For over 50 years, Royetta and Tommy attended many churches in the Sacramento area and helped plan/volunteer for
their numerous events during that time. As a younger couple, they attended First Church of the Nazarene in downtown Sacramento, CA where she taught Sunday school for young adults. Royetta even attended theology school at Liberty Towers in Sacramento, to further her personal growth in ministry studies and obtained her local ministers license with emphasis in Women's Ministries, and then continued discipleship classes through Abundant Life Fellowship in Roseville, CA.
Royetta's favorite Bible verses were:
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Every aspect of Royetta's life was guided by the Lord's teachings and molded her into the beloved wife/sister/auntie/cousin/friend/neighbor we all knew and loved. This was very prominent, especially during the holidays, when Royetta never wanted anyone to be alone, and invited many throughout the years to our holiday gatherings, and would often prepare extra plates of food, for those who did not have family nearby or were unable to get out on their own. She would ask Tommy to deliver it to them all while she also had a house full of guests to tend to. No one can forget Royetta's scrumptious homemade cinnamon rolls, twisted bread rolls, baked beans, and green bean casserole among many other great dishes she made.
Simply said: Royetta IS unforgettable.
Royetta was preceded in death by her father Roy Larson, oldest sister Dorothy Towne, and mother Gertrude Larson (Bonner). Royetta is survived by beloved husband Tom Hart, sister Janet Snow, nieces Kathy Bettencourt (spouse Rich) and Donna Petty (spouse Ric), nephews Jack Towne (spouse Kay) and Jerry Snow (spouse Teresa), great nieces Marci Lang (children Lexci and Kyle), Bailey Petty, and Shawna Hunter (spouse David), great nephews James Towne, Bryan Mitchell, and Scott Bettencourt (spouse Anna and children Ricky, Zachary, Eily, Joshua, Jack and Evan) and many more beloved great-great-great nieces/nephews.
Viewing will be held at Sunset Lawn-Chapel of the Chimes: 4701 Marysville Blvd, Sac, CA 95838 on Thursday 10/23/25 from 3pm-6pm.
Burial services will be held at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery: 5810 Midway Rd, Dixon, CA 95620 on Friday 10/24/25 at 10:30am.