On Sunday February 14, 2010, Roberta Jean Flater Sanders, passed with the grace and dignity that defined her life, returning to the arms of her beloved husband Lloyd Sanders. Roberta, or Bobbie Jean her childhood nickname, was born to Tom & Clara Flater on July 28, 1925 in Lucerne, Missouri. She spent a great deal of her early years living with her Grandmother and her husband helping them on their ranch, it is here that she learned to bake, a skill that was a blessing to all who knew her. At sixteen she married a twenty year old cowboy turned WW II enlisted man, Lloyd Sanders, who was the love of her life.

Lloyd and his dad logged in Idaho but because of the severe weather settled their families in the tiny desert community of the Tri-Cities in 1947 where they began a house moving business, Roberta assisted in every aspect of the business in addition to tending the books. They became active members of their community and Evangelical Methodist Church, raising all six of their children in a small house across the street from their church. Roberta had an open door policy and invited anyone who wanted to her house for Sunday dinners, this tradition continued after Lloyd & Roberta had moved their home and the church now the Cathedral of Joy had moved as well.

Roberta was an active part of each of her children's and grand children's lives offering praise, advice and always love to those she cared so deeply for. This commitment and devotion to her family was boundless and has made its mark on each member of her family. She loved to embroider and shared her talents with her entire family, in addition to detailed pillow cases, tea-towels and quilts, she made a point to give each grandchild a quilt for their wedding and had a baby quilt for family members and family friends alike. Her other great passion was her garden. Roberta had a knack for growing flowers, but her pride and joy were her roses, which she grew beautifully in every color and variety.

She is survived by: her brother Jerry Bonnie Flater, In laws Jim Janice Sanders, Vera Muzzy and Nellie Savage; her six children and their spouses, Allen & Sandy Sanders, Marty Armstrong, Dan & Sandy Sanders, Tom & Nancy Sanders, Suzanne & Gary Carnevali, and Cynthia & Terry Preszler; Grandchildren Tony Ott, Kevin Ott, Darin Ott, Chris Marcy Ott, Erik Darcee Sanders, Angela Josh Combs, Mikayla Steve Kagey, Zack Jennifer Paris, Matthew Shelley Armstrong, Marc Monica Armstrong, Jon Armstrong, Shane Joy Sanders, Chad Sanders, Lance Denni Sanders, Jared Sanders, Mike Rachel Sanders, Dan Jill Sanders, Robyn Sanders, Joey Carnevali, Nicole Preszler and Krista Jeremy Sandin, twenty eight great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

All friends and family are welcome to attend a service celebrating Roberta's rich life on Saturday February 20, at 2 p.m. at the Cathedral of Joy Church in Richland, reception to immediately follow.