Roberta Murfee Worsham

Roberta Murfee Worsham, born on the 23rd of January 1929, passed away on the 29th of June 2026. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of sixty-one years, Jean Mills Worsham, and son, John Murfee Worsham. She is survived by her cherished family: sons, Robert Mills Worsham, Sr. and wife Roxanne, and James Leslie (Les) Worsham and wife Leslie; grandchildren Kathryn Anne Worsham Humphries (Jim), Jesse Lee Worsham (Brittany), Robert Mills Worsham, Jr., Samuel Price Worsham, and Asha Elizabeth Worsham (Christian); five great-granddaughters, Annie, Grace, Bea, Eleanor and Margaret; brother-in-law John William Worsham and his wife Arline. She also leaves behind a very appreciated extended family.

A lifelong Houstonian, Roberta attended Houston public schools and graduated from Mirabeau B. Lamar High School as Co-Valedictorian, Most Representative Girl and Yearbook Beauty. Her summers were spent at Camp Waldemar where she was chosen Ideal Girl and with her grandparents in the Texas Panhandle.

Roberta attended Randolph-Macon Woman’s College in Lynchburg, VA, where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority. She graduated from Rice Institute (now University), where she was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. She was also a member of the Elizabeth Baldwin Literary Society, served as Secretary of the Student Council, was Rice’s Representative to the Texas A&M Cotton Bowl, and was an Arch-Arts Ball Honoree and yearbook beauty.

Her interest in voluntarism began early. While at Randolph-Macon she taught piano at an orphanage. At Rice, Roberta and three classmates held a weekly “after school” at the Wesley Community Center. After her graduation from Rice, she conducted a nursery school at Shriners Hospital for Children in Houston.

Following her Methodist heritage, Roberta was a member of St. Luke's United Methodist Church for over 60 years, where she served in many capacities. She was also a member and Past President of the Houston Bar Association Auxiliary, and the Houston Chapter Randolph-Macon Woman’s College Alumnae. She was just honored for her 75-Year Membership in the Chapter AC Texas P.E.O. Roberta was a member and former board member of the River Oaks Garden Club, and member of the Junior League of Houston, Houston Alumnae of Kappa Alpha Theta and Houston Country Club Women’s Association.

She actively participated in her sons’ school activities, from P.T.O. President to room mother. Rarely did she miss an event involving her five beloved grandchildren.

During those years, Roberta managed trusts and was General Partner of a Limited Partnership, as well as two other Partnerships.

She enjoyed writing poetry, speaking to small groups, reading, playing tennis, traveling, and especially spending time with Jean, their family and friends. She was always drawn to children and young people and took great pleasure in being called “Mammy” or “B” by her grandchildren, great grandchildren and their close friends.

A Memorial Service is to be conducted at ten o’clock in the morning on Tuesday, the 21st of July in the Chapel of St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 3471 Westheimer Road in Houston, where Dr. Linda Christians is to officiate. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception at the church.

Prior to the service, the family will gather for a private interment at Memorial Oaks Cemetery in Houston.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions in Roberta’s honor be made to Caring Ministries of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 3471 Westheimer Road, Houston, Texas 77027 or by selecting the link below under "Donations."

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