Roberta Jane Byers February 27, 1942 - December 18, 2018

Roberta Jane Marsh Byers departed her earthly life on December 18, 2018.

She was the daughter of William E and Gladys M Smithson Marsh-born February 27, 1942. She gave her life to Jesus at the age of 8 years old and was the longest continuous member at the time of her death of the Atlanta United Methodist Church. Roberta graduated salutatorian from Atlanta High School with the class of 1959.

She went to Northeast State Teachers College–now Truman. In the fall of 1960 she moved to Kansas City and attended the House of Heavlin Cosmetology School. Even though health reasons kept her from working in that field she continued to keep her state license. In 1967 she started her career at City National Bank now UMB Bank which lasted until 1997. She retired as Senior Vice President in the finance and control department. In 1997 Karl and Roberta retired to Atlanta Missouri on a part of the family farm where she had many fond memories of her childhood. For the past 17 years she had worked as a Senior Tax Advisor for H & R Block in Kirksville, during tax season retiring on April 18, 2017.

In 1968 she met her husband, Karl Byers from the state of Louisiana. They were married on July 20, 1968 in Atlanta and she inherited two step-daughters, Theresa and Tamera. Karl and Roberta were the parents of a son Christopher.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Karl on July 17, 2018 and two sisters, Donna Mae Marsh in 1945 and Marylyn Garrett in 2017, and son-in-law Jim Rundberg in 2015.

She is survived by daughters Theresa Rundberg, Lee’s Summit, MO, Tammy and husband Michael Grayson Kansas City MO and son Chris and wife Jennifer of Kansas City MO. 6 grandchildren, 2 great grandsons, and 1 great granddaughter born 2 days prior to passing. 1 sister and brothers in law, John and Louise Gaughan, brother in law Roger Garrett and a very special Aunt Theda Smithson along with numerous nieces and nephews. Her extended families are Gene and Carol Byers, Mandeville Louisiana, Irma Holden, Covington, Louisiana and Philip and Helen Levetino, Diamond Head, Mississippi.

Roberta enjoyed making footstools from large juice cans which was a tradition started by her Grandmother Smithson. She enjoyed playing bingo and was a die-hard Kansas City Royals fan. She also enjoyed collecting angels. On display today are several of Roberta’s angels and anyone that would like to take one in remembrance of her please do so.

The family wishes to thank all their friends and relatives for all the prayers and support they gave during Roberta’s illness, and to the amazing nurses and caregivers at Loch Haven Nursing Home.

Funeral Services will be held 11:00 am on Thursday, December 27, 2018 at the Elliott Funeral Home in Atlanta, MO. Burial will be in the Jacksonville Veterans Cemetery in Jacksonville, MO. Visitation will be Thursday morning from 10:00 am until the time of service at the funeral home in Atlanta.

Contributions may be made to the William E and Gladys Marsh Memorial Park, The American Cancer Fund or The Autism Foundation in Honor of Nora Gaughan.