Roberta (Howe) Cazzelle of Durant passed away Sunday, Jan. 6, 2019 at the age of 90. She was born on Aug. 2, 1928 in Wellston, Okla. to Robert Howe and Grace (Haifley) Howe.
Roberta graduated from Shawnee High School and furthered her education at Southeastern Oklahoma State University where she received a Master’s Degree in Education. She married the love of her life Dr. Jack Gene Cazelle on Jan. 21, 1952 in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. They spent many wonderful years together until his passing on Jan. 18, 2009. In 1966, they moved from Medford, Okla. and relocated to Bryan County.
Roberta was a long-time teacher and held many other positions serving the church and community. She was always so concerned about the needs of others and putting them before herself. Roberta devoted most of her time to volunteering for organizations around the community and church. She was a founding member and director of Sheltered Work Opportunities of Bryan County for 11 years. Other organizations she was a member of include, Wishing Well Texoma, and the Red River Writers Association.
On Aug. 28, 1966 she became a member of the First Baptist Church of Durant and has been a loyal member ever since. Roberta helped start the church’s Clothes Closet and taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School and was still a part of the FBC Ministry. She had many joys in life but she cherished being a mother, devoted grandmother and loved to create art and writing with several short stories published in national magazines.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Grace Howe; husband, Jack Cazzelle; son, Mark Cazzelle; siblings, Don Howe, Sheri Howe Sing, Carol Howe Hoefler; daughters-in-law, Gloria Ann Cazzelle and Vickie Cazzelle.
Survivors include her sons, David Cazzelle of Durant, Tony Cazzelle of Stillwater, Okla., and Danny Cazzelle of Denison, Texas; 13 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild on the way.
The family wishes to express their greatest gratitude to Charlotte for the time she helped take care of Roberta.
Services to honor Roberta’s life will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019 at First Baptist Church of Durant with Bro. Philip Stephens officiating. The family will accept friends Friday evening from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.
