Roberta Joy Richey
Roberta Joy Richey
Roberta Joy Richey
1930-2025
Roberta Joy (Walker) Richey passed away peacefully at the age of 94 on April 7, 2025, in Kansas City, Missouri, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on July 27, 1930, on a farm in Gentry County, Missouri, to Orvie and Gladys (Wallace) Walker.
She was united in marriage to Burton Laird Richey of Corning, Iowa, on August 24, 1952, in Albany, Missouri. They shared a joyful life together until his passing in 1981.
Roberta graduated from Albany High School and Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville. Much of her life was spent in Maryville, where she was an active member of the United Methodist Church, P.E.O. Chapters L and KP, Girl Scouts, Sigma Sigma Sigma Alumni, and various other community organizations. In 1986, she moved to Jefferson City and worked as a nutrition educator for the Missouri Department of Health. After retiring in 1996, she relocated to Gladstone, Missouri, where she continued her community involvement with North Cross United Methodist Church, the Shepherd’s Center of the Northland, and P.E.O. Chapter KF.
Her early days on the farm instilled in her a deep appreciation for family, hard work, and faith. As the wife of a coach, she spent many years cheering on sports teams at Horace Mann School, Maryville High School, and Northwest Missouri State University. Roberta had a lifelong passion for community outreach and devoted herself to helping others through every season of her life.
Roberta found her greatest joy in her family. She was incredibly proud of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and never missed a chance to celebrate their accomplishments or offer her unyielding confidence and support. Her middle name, Joy, was more than just a name—it was a reflection of her spirit and the warmth, kindness, and grace she shared with everyone she met.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Burton Richey; her parents, Gladys and Orvie Walker; brother Hugh (Phyllis) Walker; brother Glen Walker; brother-in-law Joesph (Margie) Richey; brother-in-law Lewis Roberts; and her great-grandson Jackson Sherman.
She is survived by her children: Julee (Jeff) Sherman of Fayette, Missouri, and Scott (Cindy) Richey of Kansas City, Missouri; her grandchildren: Matthew (Stasia) Sherman of Fayette, Missouri, Ryan (Nicole) Sherman of Glasgow, Missouri, Joseph Richey of Seattle, Washington, and Laura Richey of Los Angeles, California; and five great-grandchildren: Graham, Nash, Will, Charlotte and Tripp. She is also survived by her sister Dona (George) Miller of Springfield, Missouri, sister-in-law Naomi Walker of Stanberry, Missouri, sister-in-law Mary Lou Roberts of Lawrence, Kansas, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 12 at 10:00 a.m. at North Cross United Methodist Church in Kansas City, followed by a luncheon. The family will then travel to Maryville for a graveside service at Nodaway Memorial Gardens at 3 p.m., where Roberta will be laid to rest beside her husband, Burton.
Donations in Roberta’s memory may be made to:
– The Burton Richey Memorial Scholarship Fund at Northwest Missouri State University
– North Cross United Methodist Church
– Central Methodist University, Fayette, MO
Arrangements have been entrusted with the Meyers Northland Chapel in Parkville. Todd DeMint is our funeral director and personal concierge serving the family. Memories of Roberta and condolences may be shared at meyersfuneralchapel.com.
