Myra Roberts

Myra Lee Roberts, 91, a long-time Hillsboro resident passed away Tuesday, January 1, 2013, after a lengthy illness. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 5, at Marshall & Marshall Funeral Directors Chapel in Hillsboro with Rev. Donna Ware officiating. Interment will follow at Ridge Park Cemetery in Hillsboro. Visitation will be from 1:00-2:00 p.m. Saturday prior to service time at the funeral home.

The youngest of 8 children, Myra was born February 4, 1921 to Louisa Virginia (Mayfield) Smith and Jacob H. Smith in Hill County. Her childhood years were spent on the family farm located between the Mayfield-Osceola communities. In 1937, Myra and her parents moved to Hillsboro where she graduated from Hillsboro High School and Hillsboro Junior College.

During WWII, she was employed at Camp Bowie in Brownwood as a legal secretary in the Judge Advocate Section. Returning to Hillsboro, she was employed by Eastland Title and Guaranty Company. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Hillsboro.

On June 10, 1950, Myra Lee and James W. Roberts, of Winnsboro, were united in marriage at the home of her mother, 211 N. Pleasant Street (The Tarlton House) in Hillsboro. Mr. Roberts preceded her in death on December 27, 1986.

Becoming a teacher was a goal Myra never gave up on and in 1960 she earned her BS Degree in Elementary Education from Texas Wesleyan College in Fort Worth. For 25 years she taught 3rd and 4th grade students at Travis Elementary and the last six years of her career were at Hillsboro Elementary, where she taught 3rd grade students.

Mrs. Roberts was also preceded in death by her parents, three sisters, and four brothers.

Survivors include her daughter, Myra Jean Hocker and husband, Leon, of Waco; three grandchildren, Fritz Hocker and wife, Terri, of Bastrop, Kurt Hocker of Waco, and Hillary Castaneda and husband, Raymond, Sr., of Kyle; four great-grandchildren, Ashley, Haley, Tori, and Ray, Jr.

The family would like to thank the nurses/staff of Town Hall Estates and Providence Hospice for their loving care and support. Special thanks to Annette, Leona, and Joyce.

Memorials may be made to Providence Hospice, 4830 Lakewood Drive Suite #2, Waco, TX 76710 or to the charity of one’s choice.