Ida Roberta Rue "Bert" nee Shipley, 84, passed away on Tuesday, January 16th, 2024. Roberta has been a
resident of Lawton, OK for the past nine years.
Roberta was born on January 4, 1940, in Hutchinson, KS to Frank Elbert Shipley & Mary Areba "Reba"
Ball. Roberta married William Lee Rue on August 9th, 1958. William and Roberta were residents of
Hutchinson, KS until 1998; at which time they relocated to Pineville, MO to live near two of their
children.
Roberta attended Sherman Jr. High School and was a graduate of Hutchinson High School in 1958. Later
in life she earned an Associates Degree at Hutchinson Community College.
Roberta's first job was as a carhop at the R&B Restaurant on Ave A. Her love of people led her to a long
career as a waitress at popular local restaurants such as: Orville's Café, Sambo's (later Dake's) & the Big
M Truck stop. She became a CNA and then a CMA for many years. She was a staple serving ice cream at
the KS State Fair Dairy Barn Ice Cream Bar.
Roberta had many hobbies and volunteer activities. Throughout her life she was an avid bowler
attending and winning in several state tournaments. She sold Tupperware for several years and even
attended a national convention. She was a volunteer Girl Scout Leader and Cub Scout Leader. She also
coached Little League for a time. She was a life-long fisherwoman.
Roberta overcame some immense obstacles in her lifetime. She was diagnosed in 1969 with a brain
tumor that gave her a 2% chance of living. She received Cobalt treatment in 1969, and again in 1971.
Roberta had both ankles shattered in 2008 due to a car accident where another driver ran a red light
and t-boned her. She had to relearn how to walk after healing. Roberta has lived with Vascular
Dementia and Alzheimer's for the past 13 years. She attended Nora O'Neal Adult Day Care since 2017.
Roberta is survived by three children: Elizabeth (Damian) James of Lawton, OK; James (Becky) Rue of
Hutchinson, KS; and Carol (Timothy) Luellen of Pineville, MO. She also survived by 13 grandchildren and
33 great-grandchildren. She has one living sister, DeEtta Daniels of Loch Buie, CO along with multiple
nieces and nephews. Former SIL, David Blackburn of Lawton, OK; former DIL, Robin Fitzgerald of
Hutchinson, KS and life-long friend, Peggy Mills of Springville, UT. Roberta was preceded in death by
her spouse, William; her daughter, Donna June, one great-grandson, her parents, and her brothers,
Charles LeRoy and Harold E Shipley. Also preceding her in death were life-long friends Caroline
Guthrie, Marilyn Woodson and Gail Taves.
A viewing is scheduled for Thursday, January 18, 2024 from 5 to 8 pm at Ritter-Gray Funeral Home. A
service will be held at Ritter-Gray Funeral Home in Lawton, OK on Friday, January 19, 2024 at 10 am.
Immediately following the service, Roberta will be transported to Hutchinson, KS and services there will
be at Old Mission Heritage Funeral Home on Saturday, January 20, 2024 at 12pm. Graveside services will
immediately follow at Fairlawn Burial Park.