MARY ROBERTS ROPER

Mary Roberts Roper was born on February 26, 1918 in Steelville, Missouri to Earl E. Roberts and Norma Thompson Roberts, and passed into the next life on January 26 2017 at the age of 98 years and 11 months. She was predeceased by her parents; her brother, James Thompson Roberts; and her sister, Carol Roberts Pettit. Mary is survived by her three children, Bob (Ellen) Roper, of Columbia, Missouri; Carol (Richard) Caruthers, of Rockport, Texas; and Martha Roper (Peter) Scales, of Manchester, Missouri. At her request, her body was cremated. A memorial service in Steelville, Missouri will be scheduled for a later date.

Mary was a graduate of Drury College, with a degree in business, later earning a masters degree in Teaching Secondary Mathematics from Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas. For over thirty years she taught algebra, trigonometry, geometry, and calculus at Lamar High School, Lamar, Missouri; The College Laboratory School at Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas; and Webster Groves High School in Webster Groves, Missouri. In all locations she was known as a great teacher and a tough but fair grader.

Mary was a member of The Crossing Church in Columbia, Missouri. She was also an active member of either the Presbyterian or Methodist Church wherever she made her residence. She always volunteered in countless ways, in living her Christian faith. She thus was an advocate for those who needed help and assistance, volunteering in the Welfare To Work program and the Stephen Ministry.

In her younger years Mary was an excellent pianist (she retained her piano to the end of her life) and was a lifetime lover of music, the performing arts, bridge, and travel. Her travel group, The Brits, enjoyed several wonderful trips together to England, Ireland and Scotland. Closer to home, and with her usual aplomb, in her 70s she bought a bus pass to see, and stay in, the best of America’s national parks, all on her own. She was also a very good athlete, playing golf with her friends and family to the age of 90. Her golfing exploits included making a hole in one at age 86, which is still the talk of her entire family. She also was an impressive senior athlete, as she won many gold medals by beating her competition in swimming, golf, and weightlifting in the St. Louis Senior Olympics. She was also a lifelong strong Democrat, but demonstrated extraordinary kindness and tolerance with respect to her son’s long embrace of a decidedly different viewpoint. In addition, she came to Columbia and campaigned door to door for her beloved daughter-in-law, who ran for public office as a Republican. Mary had a quick wit and a wonderful sense of humor, much to the delight of all who knew her. Remembrances of her legendary funny comments will long survive her.

Mary was also an exceptional grandmother, and treasured her time with each and every one of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They will always fondly remember their amazing experiences with her, as for example their rides together on the tallest, fastest roller coasters and sliding together down the metal tube at the Magic House in St. Louis.Though it is exceedingly difficult for her family to let her go, all take great comfort in knowing that Mary Roberts Roper’s life was long and well lived. That life showed her to be a pillar of strength, formed by a wonderful nuclear family and her unshakeable faith in God. That strength was augmented by her successfully living through the Great Depression and World War II. That strength also enabled her to constantly push, challenge, and nurture all of her family, always with a combination of love, good humor and wise counsel. She always believed in, was devoted to, and had an unshakable and total faith in all of her family, which is why no one ever wanted to let her down. Most important, all family members always knew that Mary had that most wonderful of virtues: Unconditional Love for each and every one of them. Mary leaves behind countless friends, innumerable admirers, thousands of grateful former students, and her devoted family, who will forever remember her love, grace, humor, kindness and caring nature. Though her great earthly heart has now been stilled, her spirit lives on, as she ascends to her rightful place in Heaven. The family wishes to profoundly thank the many caregivers who assisted Mary in the last season of her life, especially the highly competent and caring staff at the Neighborhoods at Tiger Place, Columbia, Mo. In addition to her children and their spouses, she is survived by the rest of her loving family: grandchildren Joanna Shear, Jason Shear, Chad Caruthers, Cara Caruthers Villar, and Dane Roper; eight great-grandchildren; her cousins and brother-in-law; and her very special nieces and nephews.