Mary Roberta Tarrence

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Mary Roberta Tarrence, 79, died Friday, Jan. 21, 2011, in Deaconess Hospital from a sudden illness.

Roberta, as most knew her, was born south of Shawneetown on May 9, 1931, to the late Robert and Mary (Owens) Kinder. Roberta and her late husband Bill Tarrence were well known for years owning and operating Roberta Quilts in Shawneetown. She has been driving a school bus for over 40 years and it was one of the things she really enjoyed doing. Roberta was the oldest member of the Shawneetown Lions Club where she was always very active. She was a member of the Shawneetown First Baptist Church. Roberta loved to be with her grandchildren. She will be missed by the community.

Roberta is survived by three sons, Jim Hise of Shawneetown, Bill Tarrence of Old Shawneetown and Bill Tarrence of Oregon; four daughters, Lucinda (Ted) Blady of Junction, Charlotte (Pinky) Durham of Ridgway, Linda Hart of Old Shawneetown and Beverly Tarrence of Michigan; 27 grandchildren; and 26 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; two sons, Eddie Hise and Bobby Watters; two daughters, Donna Bolton and Mary Curry; son-in-law, John Durham; and two grandchildren, Kelly Hise and Chris Sharp.

Visitation for Roberta will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 24, 2011, at the Cox and Son Funeral Home in Shawneetown and the funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2011, at the funeral home. The Rev. Jack Hall will officiate and interment will be in Westwood Cemetery.

You may leave a note of comfort to the family at the Internet site www.coxandson.com