PARSONS, Roberta Arlene

Parker Pioneer, Parker, AZ - Published on February 15, 2012 - Roberta A. Parsons Nov. 19, 1934 - Jan. 29, 2012 Roberta Arlene Parsons was born the first child of three children to George Lester Buzzard Sr. and Mrs. Audrey Velma (Niles) Buzzard on Nov. 19, 1934 at Alma, Neb. She departed this life Sunday evening, Jan. 29, 2012 at the Colonial Villa Good Samaritan Home in Alma. Her age was 77 years, two months and ten days. “Bobbi” as everyone came to know her, moved to Grand Island, Neb. with her parents where she attended schools. She attended the Walnut Jr. High School and the Grand Island High School where she graduated with the class of 1951. On June 3, 1951, Miss Roberta Arlene Buzzard Jack was united in marriage to Jack James Parsons at the First Christian Church in Grand Island. To this union two sons Monte and Russ were born. The family also included a son from Jack’s previous marriage. The family resided in Grand Island until 1954, when they moved to Torrance, Calif., where Bobbi was employed as a secretary for Keenan and Associates Insurance Company in Torrance and Jack was employed at Honeywell Manufacturing as an airplane parts manufacturing foreman. They retired and moved to Alma, in December 1994, moving to Parker, Ariz., in November 1999. In January of 2007 they returned to Alma and due to failing health Bobbi entered the Colonial Villa on Feb. 18, 2009 and Jack entered the Villa in November 2010. Bobbi was baptized in the First Christian Church in Grand Island. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Alma, the Benevolent Patriotic Order of Does (Elks Lodge) in California, Nebraska and Arizona, and the National Secretaries Association. Bobbi worked as a volunteer at the Alma Public Schools and at the Colonial Villa. She enjoyed attending the Alma Senior Center and the Moulton children’s school functions and sports. Jack preceded Bobbi in death on Dec. 19, 2011. She was also preceded in death by her father in 1961, her mother in 1984, a sister Lea Fran Buzzard in childhood and a sister-in-law Mrs. Loretta Buzzard. Bobbi leaves to mourn his passing her two sons, Monte Parsons and his wife Mary of Lakeside, Calif.; and Russ Parsons of Torrance; her step-son James Elliott and his wife Karen of Craig, Neb.; her brother George of “Joe” Buzzard, Jr. of Orleans, Neb.; two grandchildren; two great grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; her adoptive Nebraska family Tom and Jacquie Moulton of Alma; and their children Tim and wife Laura and their daughters of Lincoln, Neb., Steven and his daughters of Alma and Jami and her husband Paul Ogier and their daughter and sons of North Platte, Neb.; other relatives, and many friends. Memorial funeral services for both Jack and “Bobbi” will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012 at the United Methodist Church in Alma with Pastor Lori Kentner officiating. Inurnment of the cremains will be at 2 p.m., the same day at the Grand Island City Cemetery at Grand Island, with military honors at graveside provided by the Nebraska Military Funeral Honors Guard. For those unable to attend the services, they will be able to sign the register book at the funeral home from noon until 7 p.m. on Friday. Memorials may be directed to the Alma United Methodist Church. Banta-Torrey Funeral Home in Alma is in charge of arrangements.