Lynn Roberts

Written by her son Evan and agreed to by her entire family. In the 35 years I had the joy of knowing Lynn Roberts I never once heard her speak of regret. Born Elma Lynn Schultz in Woodward, Oklahoma to Elmer and Floreine in 1948 she joined her older brother Jay. The family moved to Robber’s Cave Sate Park where Lynn’s life-long love of learning, language, the arts, the outdoors, and service to others began. Throughout her childhood she danced, was active in the girl scouts, and played the piano. One of the the things that she cherished most was the rare opportunity to grow up in a state park. In middle school she joined the school band playing the clarinet and would later play the saxophone, bassoon, and any other instrument they needed. She excelled throughout High School eventually being named Valedictorian of the Wilburton Class of Six plus Sixty and most likely to succeed. She went to Eastern Oklahoma State Junior College where she majored in English, was active on the debate team, was on the Dean’s List and named Most Outstanding Liberal Arts Student. While at Eastern she started dating and married the love of her life, Carl Roberts. They both received scholarships to Oklahoma University and moved to Norman in the fall of 1968. When they left their small town in Southeastern Oklahoma, at the beginning of the feminist movement, she was poised to set the world on fire. Everyone who knew Lynn would have told you that she could do anything, and would go on to do great and amazing things, which she did. She consciously chose to be the best wife and mother she could be above all else. While at OU, Lynn got pregnant with their first child, Christopher Ward who they would lose after only 3 days. This sadness of such a tragedy could have consumed as lesser woman but not Lynn. She dedicated herself to being one of the strongest women in the world and she showed that strength in her commitment to her husband and her service to others. When Carl graduated from Oklahoma University and got a job in Enid, she left her friends and family and moved with him. She would go on to do this 6 more times. While in Enid she was active in community service projects through the Jaycee’s ladies auxiliary and was asked to be board member. She also owned a small retail store on the main square with her mother. She put her creative talents and considerable skill to work producing and selling the finest children’s clothes in town. While in Enid her number one customer, her first daughter, Christina Lynn was born. In 1973, Carl’s company asked him to move to Fort Worth, and without hesitation she agreed and they started a new chapter in their life. In Fort Worth, Lynn and Carl settled into life rearing their daughter and began their service as a youth leaders at the church. In 1977 she would have their son, Evan Carl, followed quickly by another daughter, Kathleen Marie. She spent 5 years as a full time mother and wife and loved every minute of it, never lamenting the life she had left behind. In 1980, the company asked Carl to move again, and again without hesitation she agreed. This time to Denver, where she was a full time mother until the children were old enough to go to school. Being home when her children got out of school was always a priority for her so when she decided to go back to work, she made sure that it worked around the children’s schedule. She found the perfect job that allowed her to do that and still foster her giving nature as a pre-school aide. Her commitment to her children and her giving nature naturally lead her to be involved with their school. She was active in the Parent Teacher Organization and when the school got involved in a new creative problem solving competition she volunteered to be a coach and her love of the Odyssey of the Mind program was born. While in Denver, she also renewed her entrepreneurial spirit, this time operating a booth at a local craft fair selling handmade dolls and clothes. After nearly 10 years, Carl’s company asked him to move again, this time to Fort Worth, and as she had so many times before, Lynn supported him and the family moved back. With the children in middle and high school, Lynn embarked on a new career as a customer service representative for an insurance agent. Her work ethic and intellect allowed her to quickly progress to office manager and eventually become in an in-house agent capable of writing all kinds of insurance policies. She also found a way to fulfill her desire to interact with and help people by working in a gift shop part time. She was a dedicated Band Booster, never missing a performance and volunteering to work any fundraiser that would benefit the band. She also gave selflessly to the Odyssey of the Mind program serving as a Regional Board Member and Problem Captain. She was universally liked in every organization she worked with. During this period her children grew into adults. She stood by them through many trials, but was able to see the fruits of her labors as each one left the house to make their way in the world carrying with them the intangible lessons that can only be learned from a mother who was always there for them. Making her way in the world for Christy included marrying Robert Minnis and Lynn watched proudly as they made a life of their own. In 1996, Carl was offered a job in Oklahoma City, but this time the children were on their own (mostly) and Lynn had established a career in the insurance industry and moving would mean starting all over. But she did it gladly, and they began a new adventure. Lynn found a job with another insurance agent and again quickly showed her value. She also connected with the local Odyssey of the Mind organization and continued her passion of working with children and rewarding creativity. With the Oklahoma OM group she became a State Problem Captain and was invited to judge the World Finals. She impressed the International Odyssey of the Mind group and was named Head Judge and was heir apparent to be International Problem Captain. Their time in Oklahoma City also saw the birth of their first grandchild Elora Minnis. After a quick 4 years, once again, opportunity knocked for Carl and they left Oklahoma for Houston. This time, Lynn took a position working for the same company that Carl was at. She enjoyed the work and found good friends in their co-workers and the local Odyssey of the Mind group. Lynn continued her work at the international level of OM. Lynn and Carl took advantage of the opportunities that living in cosmopolitan Houston offered. Lynn loved Galveston and they visited often. Their time in Houston witnessed the growth of their family again. Evan married Sara Mehaffy in September of 2002 and they welcomed their son Ethan two years later. Kati married Devin Peck in a fairy-tale wedding at Disney World in 2005. But the time in Houston was not to be easy. Lynn was diagnosed with a very rare brain tumor that and a serious heart condition. The strength that was the hallmark of her life would again shine through. She was one of the 4% who survived her type of brain tumor. Her doctors were astounded, but no one who knew her was surprised and casual acquaintances had no idea she had beaten such long odds. Lynn was able to have a pacemaker installed to correct her heart condition. But that success was short lived. She was soon diagnosed with breast cancer. She approached it with the determination and graciousness that she had shown her whole life. As she went through surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy she never gave in to self-pity. She tried to make it as easy as possible for the nurses and was an inspiration for all she came into contact with. After her experiences she became an active supporter for Cancer Research and couldn’t say enough about the American Cancer Society and the good work they do. Although she enjoyed the big city, she yearned to return to “home” so Carl found a job in Oklahoma City. In Oklahoma City, they bought a small acreage and settled into a rural life. They welcomed 2 new grandchildren - a new daughter for Evan and Sara named Willow and a new daughter for Christy and Rob named Alexa. Lynn enjoyed the slower pace and shared some of what her childhood was like with her grandchildren who adored her. But the respite was too short. The cancer returned and had spread. She endured additional rounds of chemotherapy and radiation treatment and her body was drained to its limits. After a long battle that would have claimed a weaker person 10 years earlier, she was at last at peace. Through it all, she stayed strong, she never quit, and she never stopped thinking of others. To say she was amazing doesn’t even scratch the surface. She was more than you could even think to ask for in a partner, mother or friend. She was able to translate the family values that some find old-fashioned into the modern era. She could quote 17th century British literature and the Simpsons in the same conversation with equal relevance. She believed in you when you didn’t believe in yourself, and never settled for less than your best. She was always available (no matter the hour) and would listen patiently then lead you to the answer that was already inside you. Her advice was seldom wrong, and never uninvited. Sometimes it was as simple as “forget them if they can’t take a joke,” sometimes it spoke to the very essence of how you were, but it never left you in doubt. If you had the pleasure of knowing her, then you know you were never the same afterward. If you didn’t, I’m sure she has touched the life of someone you do know. Lynn is survived by and will be missed by her Husband Carl; their Son Evan; Daughters Christy and her Husband Rob and Kati and her Husband Devin; Grandchildren Elora, Ethan, Willow and Alexa, Brother Dr. A Jay Schultz and his wife Kathleen and their children. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Lynn's name to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Lynn Roberts please visit our Sympathy Store.