Joyce Eloise Roberts

The world lost a treasure this week. Joyce Eloise (Baldwin) Roberts died in her home on the morning of January 18, 2011. Joyce lived a life of service, she took care of people- that is what gave her the most joy. She was born May 1, 1922 in Wister, Oklahoma to Claud and Martha Baldwin. She was the sixth of fourteen children. Growing up on a farm, she learned to work hard at an early age and she continued to do so throughout her life. A real-life “Rosie the Riveter,” Joyce worked on aircraft at Douglas (Tinker Air Force Base) during World War II and was proud she was able to serve her country in this way. She worked as a waitress and that is how she met Floyd “Bob” Woodrow Roberts, who also worked in the restaurant business. Joyce and Bob were married on April 5, 1942. They had six children; Randy, Jerry, Joy, Deborah, Barbara, and Stephen. They raised their family and continued working in the restaurant business, even opening several of their own restaurants in the Oklahoma City area, and eventually opening the Roberts Café in 1963. Roberts Café’s doors remained open 27 years. Joyce never asked for anything for herself. She cherished her children and spoiled her grandchildren. She loved all holidays and any kind of family gathering and would prepare a delicious spread for all of these occasions. She enjoyed gardening, quilting, crafts, crossword puzzles, and backgammon. Selfless, hard-working, considerate, determined, ornery, generous, faithful, honest, content, strong-willed and warm-hearted. That is how Joyce lived her life. She was deeply loved and will be deeply missed. Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, Floyd “Bob” Woodrow Roberts. She is survived by her six children, Randy Roberts and wife Jan, Jerry Roberts, Joy Wellman, Deborah Wiedeman, Barbara Glenn and husband Robert, Stephen Roberts and wife Erin; eight grandchildren, Aimeé Eischen and husband Jerrid, Jennifer Wright and husband Alex, Lesley Thomas and husband Brian, Adam Roberts and wife Jeanna, Brian Roberts and wife Gina, Katherine Szucs and husband Ron, Shannon Degraffenreid and husband Stephen, Stephen Roberts and fiancé Leah; ten great-grandchildren, sisters Christine, Martha, Evelyn and Pooch and brother Albert. Services will be held at Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper 6600 Broadway Extension on Saturday, January 22 at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be sent to: SolAmor Hospice or the American Diabetes Association. Arrangements under the direction of Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper Funeral Directors, Oklahoma City, OK.