Roberta Lee Higley

Roberta Lee Strawn Higley was born August 21st, 1935 to Forrest Francis Strawn and Mary Helen Bates Strawn in Pocatello, Idaho.  She spent her childhood with her sister and best friend, Beverly Rae.  The two became known as Bobbie and Billy and they attended schools in Pocatello.  Later years brought her more siblings; Kathie Jo, Dan, Steve, Teresa and a beloved step-father, Wallace Reade.

Roberta married Stan Ballard and gave birth to John Edward.  While attending Grimms Business  College, she later met and married Bob Coleman and with him, she had Cherilyn Helen in Oklahoma.

 On July 3rd of 1964 she married Lorin Dewey Higley in Elko Nevada, gaining two step-children, Harold and Kathleen.  While living in Roseburg Oregon, she gave life to Lorin Benjamin.  They later moved to Springfield, Oregon where Loralee Jo was born.  In 1967 they moved to Alberta Canada and in 1968 they moved to Vancouver Island, British Columbia where Kori Roberta was later born. 

Roberta created homes for her family in Cobble Hill, Mill Bay and later in the city of Duncan where a big rambling old house allowed them to take in a family of four foster children.  Mary Moore later returned to her own father, but the family adopted Loralee Rose, Nancy Caroline and Robin Edward Carmichael who were ¼ native Canadians.

In 1980 the family moved to Las Vegas where Roberta stayed for 30 years except for a short stint in Upland California while Lorin furthered his schooling.  Called Bobbie by most, she made many friends and mothered more kids while working at Jack in the Box and later Miller’s Steak House.

Teaching Lamanite Seminary while on the island was a particular joy that brought about a love of the indigenous people of the land.  She delighted in being a Visiting Teacher to the native sisters in the Duncan Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  She also served as Primary President, Relief Society teacher and ward and stake librarian for many years.

She was a long standing active member of TOPS#NV, 103 and later TOPS#UT,36, Roy where she received an award for 30 years of continuous membership.

 Her artwork and crafting skills have left us with many mementos of her talents.

Roberta was an amazingly strong person that battled different cancers, multiple brain tumors and other health problems.  In 2011 after yet another health crisis, her daughters took her to Utah to live with them so that they could care for her physically and manage her health care.  In West Point and surrounds, she brought many smiles to faces and became known as “the hat lady” for her beautiful selection of hats that were always carefully coordinated with her clothing, jewelry and purses.

Roberta passed very peacefully on October 19th, in Layton Utah, surrounded by her daughters.

Waiting to greet her on the other side were her parents, son  John Ballard, step-son Harold Higley, brother Dan Reade and sisters;  Beverly Evans, Kathie Burdick and Teresa Reade.   

Mourning her here are her step-father Wally (Shirley) Reade, husband Lorin Dewey  Higley, daughters, Cheri (Nick) Russell, Kathy (Curt) Higley, Loralee (Manni) Kurzius, Rose (Mark) Swena, Kori (Allan) Devore, Nancy (Jason) Higley and sons Lorin Benjamin (Polly) Higley and Robin (Jessie) Higley as well as numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Also, her brother Steve Reade, Sister-in-law Karen Reade and cousins Nancy (Ron) Peck and Cheryl (Bill) Head.

Services for Roberta Higley will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The funeral will take place Friday October 23rd
at 11:00 a.m. with the viewing at 10:00 a.m.
at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
6100 Alta Drive, Las Vegas, NV 80107

6100 Alta Drive, Las Vegas, NV 80107

Interment will be at Palm Mortuary 7600 S. Eastern, Las Vegas, NV 89123

A luncheon will be held afterwards at the same church house as the funeral.

The family wishes to express their deep gratitude to those who shared in the caregiving duties this last year, Family Tree Assisted Living in West Point, Rocky Mountain Care Center and Inspiration Hospice as well as the Huntsman Cancer Institute and Davis Hospital.  We are grateful also to the Evergreen Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who has jumped in to host the funeral though none of us live there anymore.  Internment will be at Palm Mortuary
7600 S. Eastern, Las Vegas, NV 89123

A luncheon will be held afterwards at the same church house as the funeral.

(We need to know who plans to attend so we can give a head count to the sweet ladies preparing the meal for us.)

Planning a service long-distance really puts the “fun” in funeral. We are eternally grateful to Mom and Dad’s old ward, the Evergreen Ward for helping us out this way once again.