Roberta Mae Gayden

Roberta M. Gayden, 88, of Lee's Summit, MO went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, July 27, 2024. She died at Research Medical Center surrounded by some of her close nieces & nephews. Roberta was born on April 17, 1936, in New Madrid, MO to Isaac Leroy Timberlake and Mary Jane Massey Timberlake. Growing up in different parts of Missouri and Indiana, her childhood was filled with struggles and simple joys. She was preceded in death by both her parents.

Roberta moved back to the Kansas City area, as a young adult. She continued her education and subsequently became employed by the City of Kansas City. During these years Roberta also attended classes at Penn Valley Community College.

Roberta found love and went on to marry Sammie J. Trice. She remained a loving wife until his passing July 30, 1990.

It was during her early adult years that Roberta gave her life to the Lord and she was baptized July 4, 1979. She said, “It was the greatest thing that ever happened to her.”

Later, Roberta and Thomas C. Gayden realized their mutual love and respect for one another, and they decided to unite in Holy Matrimony on August 28, 1997. She was a dedicated wife and caregiver until his passing on July 15, 2009. Roberta had no children of her own, but she was a loving stepmother to a number of children in her marriage.

Roberta was an avid reader who spent many hours a day studying through scriptures. She owned every type of Bible she desired and could go from one to the other teaching the word or just finding passages to encourage others in their walk with God. Roberta was a Holy Ghost- Filled woman who by example showed her family and many friends that she was faithful and dedicated in her walk with the Lord.

In her spare time Roberta loved to shop and T-store browse. If you ever went shopping with her, you were the one who came out with all the bags and she had the biggest smile. The lighter your wallet the bigger her smile. When she wasn’t reading she was working her puzzle books. Her favorite outside activity was fishing and her philosophy was if it’s big enough to bite her hook its big enough to eat. Roberta ‘s late evenings were mostly saved for watching baseball (the Cardinals) and H.G.T.V. She also found great pleasure in traveling cross country with her late husband Thomas.

Roberta M Gayden finished her race with total beauty and grace on July 27, 2024. She leaves to cherish her memory a bonus son, Kenneth Gayden, Leavenworth, KS; Four generations of nieces and nephews and other relatives including 3 special nieces Pamela A Gaston, Lees Summit, MO, Vera Lynn Taylor (Charles), Newnan, GA, Teresa Jackson-Jones (Leonard), Grandview, MO and 1 special nephew Milan Sheppard, Grandview, MO. Also 1 brother-in-law Garland Gayden (Gloria), CA, and 1 sister-in-law Sylvia Dulin, Leavenworth, KS. Many cherished friends from her spiritual, professional, and personal journey.

When Roberta saw Jesus face to face on Saturday July 27, 2024, we are sure He said to her, “Well done thy good and faithful servant, thou hath been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things, enter thou into the joy of the Lord!”