Patricia Ann (McWilliams) Roberts, 84, passed from this life on December 20, 2022, in Dallas, Texas, due to heart failure. She was born on August 31, 1938 in Olympia, Wash., to Lee McWilliams and Mary Maye (Loftis). She was their middle child, remaining closest of siblings with sister Barbara (Robinson) and brother Jerry Lee throughout their lives together.
After graduating from Blue High School in Oklahoma, Pat married Billy Jack Roberts of Roberta in 1956. They had three children, Stephen Mark, Tracie Kim, and William Park, starting their family in Durant before eventually making their lifelong home within the Roberts family homestead in Roberta.
Pat’s life was lived with devotion serving God through her family and community. She began her career as secretary to Dr. J.M. Gaskin at the First Baptist Church of Durant; she later earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education, and taught school for 20 years in Silo, Oklahoma. She was affectionately known as “Grandmother” by her four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Pat enjoyed a lifelong love of travel with Billy Jack to visit family and sites around the world. She read voraciously, and was an avid supporter of global human and civil rights advocacy. She has long been an integral part of the Roberta Baptist Church, teaching Sunday school, leading bible study, and volunteering at every opportunity there and at the Durant hospital with her sister, Bob. She will be remembered for her beautiful smile, presence, and warmth, and her devotion to the love and teachings of Christ that were exemplified in all that she did.
Pat is survived by her sister, Barbara Robinson of Durant, Okla.; her husband, Billy Jack Roberts of Roberta, Okla.; her children: Steve Roberts of Roberta, Tracie Falcone and husband Keith of Roberta, Okla. and Bill Roberts of Portland, Maine; grandchildren: Stevie Nichols of Albuquerque, N.M., Jack Roberts and wife Julie of Roberta, Okla., and Kate Graham and husband Mace of Valliant, Okla.; five great-grandchildren: Cooper, Kenzie, and Shelby Graham, and Hunter and Morganne Roberts and her many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Pat was preceded in death by her parents, brother Jerry Lee McWilliams, daughter-in-law Kay Lynn (Andis) Roberts, and grandson Adam Nichols.
A celebration of Pat’s life was held on Friday, December 23, 2022, at Roberta Baptist Church.
Arrangements under the direction of Holmes~Coffey~Murray Funeral Home.
1 Comment
My sincere condolences for the loss of your sweet loved one. Although it’s been years since I’ve seen Pat I will always remember her kind heart and love for others.