Ruth Irene Roberts
December 7, 1926 — April 1, 2017
Ruth Irene Roberts passed away peacefully at her daughter’s home in Lakewood, CA with family and friends by her side on April 1, 2017. Ruth was born to James Andrew and Irene Rowena Vaughn in Vernon, Texas on December 7, 1926. She was the oldest of nine children.
As a young woman, Ruth worked in the Woolworth’s Store in Vernon. After traveling to Arizona with Arlene Roberts, her friend and future sister-in-law, Ruth worked in Estes Drug Store.
In 1948, Ruth married Clifford Vance Roberts in Clifton, Arizona. They resided in Morenci, Arizona for the next 36 years. They had one daughter, Teresa Ann.
Ruth enjoyed playing card games and board games with Cliff, Teresa, relatives, friends, and especially her grandchildren through the years. Ruth was a bowler and proudly worked on the Election Board. She sewed clothes for Teresa and herself and also loved to embroider, needlepoint, and cross-stitch. Ruth’s other pastimes included listening to Country Western music, reading mystery novels, and working crossword puzzles. Ruth and Cliff loved having their grandchildren visit during summers, creating wonderful memories for them all. Through the years Ruth and Cliff enjoyed trips with friends to: Hawaii, where they met their first grandson; Lake Powell, renting a houseboat; Branson, Missouri, to see Country Western entertainment; Mexico; and Alaska, on a cruise ship. In 2009, Ruth and Cliff moved to California to be closer to their family.
Ruth and Cliff resided in Morenci until Cliff’s retirement in 1984. They then settled in Safford, Arizona where they lived for 25 years. Ruth was preceded in death by her loving husband of 62 years, Cliff, her parents, two sisters, and three brothers.
Ruth is survived by her daughter, Teresa Montoya; son-in-law, Sam Montoya; grandchildren, Gregory Montoya (Therese), Matthew Montoya, Laura Montoya (Genji Nakano), Andrew Montoya (Cari); great-grandchildren, Gabriella, Genevieve, Julia, and Harvey and one great-grandson on the way; brothers Franklin, Wesley, Leslie; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation and Vigil with Rosary will be on Friday, April 7, 2017 from 5 - 8 pm with the Rosary at 7 pm.
Funeral Mass will be at St. Pancratius on Saturday, April 8, 2017 at 10:30 am followed by interment at All Souls and a Reception at St. Pancratius Msgr. Kielty Hall.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.
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