Obituary of Roberta Evelyn "Bobbie" Matches

Roberta Evelyn “Bobbie” Matches, 89, died unexpectedly on Monday, December 4, 2017, in Ft. Worth, Texas. She was born on November 18, 1928, in Heppner, Oregon, to Lorena and John Miller. She was the second of 6 children. Her childhood was spent in Lexington, Oregon, before her family moved to Portland, Oregon, where she graduated from high school.  She attended Oregon State University, where she met Arthur Gerald “Jerry” Matches, and they were married on Dec. 21, 1952. She and Jerry lived in Heidelberg, Germany for a year while Jerry served in the army. After Jerry completed his master’s degree at Oregon State, they then lived in Lafayette, Indiana while Jerry completed his doctorate at Purdue, and their first child, Susan, was born during that time. In 1961, they moved to Columbia, Missouri, where their children Sarah and Tom were born. During their 21 years in Columbia, she was very active in her children’s schools, with activities ranging from room mother to PTA president. She was also very involved at Calvary Episcopal Church, where she served on the altar guild and assisted in many church functions. She and Jerry then moved to Lubbock, Texas, where they were active at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, including over ten years working weekly at the parish-sponsored food bank. She was also a member of Daughters of the King. They relocated to Ft. worth, Texas, to be near their daughter Sarah. Bobbie devoted her last several years caring for Jerry, in addition to enjoying being able to spend more time with her children and grandchildren. During her life, she and Jerry were able to enjoy travelling to many places in the United States, as well as internationally. Bobbie is remembered by family and friends as a cherished friend to many, who provided many faithful years feeding the hungry in Lubbock, and continues to provide inspiration to others to carry on that service.

She is survived by her husband, Jerry, daughters Susan DeLano (David), Sarah Matches (Al Mathe), and son Tom (Terri). She is also survived by five grandchildren: Geoff and Amanda DeLano, AJ and Noah Mathe, and Connor Matches. She has one great-grandson, Kendrick DeLano-Ellefson. She is also survived by her siblings Marjory Stanley (Hugh), Bill Miller (Barbara), Harry Miller (Sharlotte), and Ken Miller (Joanne). She was preceded in death by her grandson, Ian Matches, and her brother, John “Jack” Miller.

Services have been held. To honor her, the family requests donations to the Alzheimer’s Association.