Mary Jo Roberts

Mary Jo Roberts, 94, Altus, passed away on Thursday, August 3, 2017. Graveside services will be 10:30 AM Saturday, August 5, 2017 in the Altus City Cemetery with Rev. Doug Altom officiating. Burial will be under the direction of the Kincannon Funeral Home and Cremation Service.

Mary Jo Roberts passed away at the age of 94 on August 3, 2017 at Tamarack Assisted Living Center in Altus, Oklahoma. She was born on a family farm just north of Altus on July 30, 1923 to Lois and Walter Talkington.
Mary Jo met her future husband, John H. Roberts, at Altus High School. During her senior year, the two of them approached her parents, asking permission to marry before graduation. Mrs. Talkington told her seventeen-year-old daughter, "That's okay, as long as you promise me you'll finish school." She did graduate! They married Dec. 8, 1940, and the union lasted seventy-four years, until his death in 2015.
The two were together in business as well as marriage. Along with Jim Parrish Sr., John H. started Johnny Roberts Dodge in 1955, and Mary Jo worked right by his side, selling cars and keeping the paperwork in order until his retirement. She preferred to keep on working even afterwards. In her room at the assisted living center, Mary Jo often told her children, "I think I'll go down and help out at the dealership today."
The two did fill their retirement years, first with Good Sam trips, and then with a summer place in Lake City, Colorado. The friendships established there were deep and long lasting, as were their Altus domino cohorts.
Family was precious to them both. Mary Jo and John H. had one son: Johnny J. Roberts, husband of Betsy; and two daughters: Patti Ray, married to John Ray; and Lisa Byers. Johnny and Betsy gave them their first grandchildren, Chris and Paul Roberts; and Lisa gave them their last, Amber Byers Haynes. From the grandchildren's unions came five great grandchildren: Colson Roberts, son of Chris and Valerie Freeman Roberts; Eli, Cora, and Hannah Roberts, children of Paul and Becca Cofer Roberts; and Amber and Drew Haynes' children, Ezra and Madeline Joy Haynes. Mary Jo is also survived by a favorite uncle, Doyle Buchanan and wife, Beth, of Amarillo, TX.
The Roberts both had a deep commitment to the Lord, serving faithfully at First Baptist Church, Altus for over 50 years. More than once, Mary Jo was approached by strangers who just needed 'someone to listen.' God's love was something she was eager to share.
Precious wife, smart business woman, amazing mother, talented cook, loving grandmother, God's child… you will be missed, Mary Jo, but we know you are rejoicing. We love you.
The family would especially like to thank Lydia Armendariz, loyal friend, loving caretaker of both Mary Jo and Johnny Roberts and an adopted family member. Also, we would like to express our thanks to the 3rd floor nurses at Jackson County Memorial Hospital and the loving staff and administration at Tamarack Assisted Living Center. Memorial contributions may be made to Altus First Baptist Church Prayer Ministry or Building Fund.
The Roberts family will receive friends from 6:00 - 8:00 PM Friday evening at the funeral home.

Online tributes may be made at kincannonfuneralhome.com