Bobbie E. Roberts

Bobbie Ephrum Roberts, 94, El Dorado Springs, passed away to his heavenly reward on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020. He was born on Oct. 2, 1925, in Oak Ridge, the son of Ephrum Roberts and Pearl Tracy (Wills) Roberts. He attended high school in Cape Giradeau, Missouri, where he graduated in 1944.

Bobbie was a military veteran, serving in World War II from 1944 to 1946 in the United States Marine Corps 5th Marine Division. He participated in the famous battle of Iwo Jima. He was a true patriot and was honored to have served his country in the war and proudly wore his service hat most of the time.

In 1947, Bobbie married Mary Francis Atkinson. They enjoyed fifty-seven years of marriage until her passing in 2013. Together they raised two daughters, Julie Lenore and Janette Lois. Most of their years together were lived in Independence.

After the war, Bobbie worked on a river barge on the Missouri River near Cape Girardeau. Later, he was employed by Campbell Truck Lines and then Allis-Chalmers. Many of his working years were spent working for Lipton Tea, where he made Wishbone salad dressing. He was also dedicated to safety and was a safety advocate for his unit. He retired in 1992 after working at Lipton for 22 years.

Bobbie was a Christian and served in various capacities in the Church of the Nazarene and the Church of God (Anderson). His family always enjoyed his prayers which frequently ended with, “in Jesus Holy Name, Amen.”

After an accidental fall in 2016, he spent many months off and on in the hospital and rehab facilities, always telling stories that endeared his caregivers to him. He had a keen sense of humor and delighted others with his many pleasant memories.

Bobbie’s love and passion was his birds. He spent many hours and years in raising and showing doves and pigeons. He could tell you in detail all about how to care for, breed, feed, and maintain his birds. Even in his later years he still maintained interest and always enjoyed his bird books.

Preceding Bobbie in death were his wife, Mary Francis (Atkinson) Roberts; parents, Pearl Tracy (Wills) Roberts and Ephrum Roberts; sisters, Jeanette Fuqua and JoAnn Granger; and brother, Tommie Roberts.

Survivors include his daughters, Julie Lenore Jennings and husband, James Jay, of Sheldon, and Janette Lois Hobson and husband, Doug, of Charlotte, NC; brother, Ben Howard (who is one hundred years old), of Cape Girardeau; one sister, Patsy Huntsman of Indiana; three grandchildren: Ashley Hobson of Charlotte, NC, Jennifer Denig of Albuquerque, NM, and Jeanette Aliday of Thompson Falls, MT; two great-grandsons; and numerous extended family and friends.

A graveside service was held Friday, Oct. 2, at Clintonville Cemetery with Rev. Bill Whetstone officiating under the direction of Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home.

Memorial donations may be made to Cedar County Memorial Hospital or the Missouri Veteran’s Home in Mt. Vernon and left at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be left at: www.blandhackleman.com.