Myra Lynn Ray Roberts' Obituary
Myra Lynn Ray Roberts went to be with the Lord on September 17, 2005. She would have celebrated her 95th birthday on Friday the 23rd of September. Services are under the direction of Rader Funeral Home of Longview. Myra Lynn was a member of one of Longview's pioneer families and the only surviving sibling of three sisters and three brothers. She graduated from Longview High School, Mary Hardin Baylor, with honors, and the University of Texas, where she received a master's degree in education.
Earl Roberts the ?Judge? to most who knew him married Myra Lynn Ray on September 15, l935 and died in 1988. Her parents, Alice McLendon Ray and James Fletcher Ray, also preceded Myra Lynn in death.
Family came first with Myra Lynn and she loved advising, encouraging and campaigning for Earl, Sr., who was Judge of the 124th Distinct Court in Gregg County during the 1930?s and 1940?s. Her proudest times were when ? with her very strong encouragement and direction - her three children graduated from Baylor University.
Myra Lynn loved the Lord and her church. She taught Sunday School and served as department director for a number of years at the First Baptist Church of Longview as well as helping start several other Baptist churches in the Longview area including Valley View Baptist Church and Oakland Heights Baptist Church, where she and Earl were members for a number of years.
Another special interest of Myra Lynn?s was the public education of young people and to that end she followed in the footsteps of her mother by teaching English and Latin for many years in the Longview Independent School District at Longview High School, Womack High School and what is now Foster Middle School. Besides changing young lives one at a time as a teacher, Myra Lynn felt she could best move education forward in Longview by serving on the LISD School Board, which she did during the 1950?s and 1960?s. Her term on the School Board was marked by the unparalleled construction of six new schools in Longview.
Active in community activities, she was president of Lawyer Wives? Club, member of the Longview Shakespeare Study Club, and on the board of directors of the Longview Symphony. She was also instrumental in bringing the Buckner Westminster retirement facility to Longview; her generosity made possible the growth and development of Buckner?s, where she resided for over four years.
Survivors include one daughter, Claire Lynn Roberts of Longview; two sons, James F. Jim Roberts and wife, Julia of Dallas; Meredith Earl Roberts, Jr. and wife, Elizabeth Betty of Longview; seven grandchildren and spouses, Jason Roberts, James and Ann Roberts of Dallas; David and Amanda Roberts, Murray and Christi Roberts of Longview; Houston and Dawn Harris, Melissa and Scott McDonald, and Miriam and George Jones of Dallas; eleven great-grandchildren, a sister-in-law, Norma Ray of Conroe, and a number of nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the First Baptist Church of Longview, Highway 80 Rescue Mission, or the Longview Symphony League.
The Roberts family expresses its appreciation for all the kindness and help provided by Pine Tree Lodge Nursing Home and Greater Hospice of Texas.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, Sept.21, at First Baptist Church of Longview, at 2 PM.
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