Obituary of Roberta Elaine Turver

Longevity, a woman of fortitude, and a true legacy to our family Roberta Elaine Turver peacefully passed with loving family at her side on July 20, 2023, of natural causes. These words are a privilege and an honor to write in celebration of the life of Roberta who touched many lives as a wife, mother, sister, grandma, great grandma, aunt, great aunt, neighbor, co-worker, one who loves God and friend to all. Her Christian walk and daily faith in God give us comfort to know she is resting in His hands.

Roberta was born on July 24, 1926 to her parents Robert and Lennie Spencer in Tacoma, Washington. Roberta was raised in a home of strong family morals and upheld standards with an agriculture and business influence on South Hill Puyallup with her older sister Theresa Spencer. She attended school for grades one through eight in a one room school on South Hill. She frequently shared stories of her many fond childhood memories. In high school Roberta was a member of the drill team and service club. She graduated from Puyallup High School in 1944.

After graduation she attended beauty school and pursued a career in hair dressing. Soon after that she became a teller for Citizens State Bank in downtown Puyallup. This was a great fit as she had a passion for detail and perfection. Later, once the children were of school age, she became a cook at Rogers High School serving in the snack bar. Roberta retired from the school district after 15 years. While retired, she spent her time enjoying 5 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, a volunteer at Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup, and her beloved hobby of sewing. One of her favorite pastimes were family gatherings centered around holiday celebrations and good food. Her shining spirit was adorned through in her festive attire, coordinated earrings and cheerful attitude.

In 1946, she met William Turver her husband to be of 63 years, at The Firs dance hall. Their love of the Big Band sound and dance brought them together and they were married on October 18th, 1947. Bill and Roberta started their lives together in Tacoma, and then moved to their home of 61 years in the Lidford area where they went on to have two children, Kim and Debra Turver.

Roberta was the matriarch of her generation for our extended family. She passed just 4 days short of her 97th Birthday. Roberta was predeceased by many inclusive of her parents Robert and Lennie Spencer, husband William Turver, sister and brother-in-law Theresa and Bruce Howard, Sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Charles and Francis Brooks, and Norm and Dottie Nelson. She is survived by daughter Debra Turver, son and daughter-in-law Kim and Cindy Turver, grandchildren Julia (Anderson) and her husband Orrin Collins, Kyle and his wife Jessica Turver, Ryan and his wife Reagan Anderson, Abby (Turver) and her husband Chad Bergman, and Jenny Anderson. Great grandchildren, Grady, Hallie and Emmy Collins, Luella, Theodore, and Oliver Turver, River, Ellie and Rhett Anderson, and Luke, Connor and Mason Bergman.

Memorial services for Roberta will be held on August 19, 2023, at 3:00pm, Hill Funeral Home, 217 E. Pioneer Ave., Puyallup, WA. Reception to follow. Graveside services will be held the same day at 12:00 noon, Woodbine Cemetery, 2323 9th St. SW, Puyallup, WA.