Roberta L. John

MCALLEN – Roberta L. John, 88, passed away in her sleep on August 23, 2025. Roberta was born to Carl Raymond and Olive Irma Belt in Coffeyville, KS and grew up there, except during the two years when her father served in the Judge Advocate General’s office in Baltimore, MD during World War II. She attended Garfield Grade School and was active at Field Kindley High School, continuing to support their class of 1955 by attending reunions and assisting in their internet support group. She graduated from Kansas University, following in her father’s footsteps. Upon graduation, she moved to Denver, CO., to work at Gulf Oil Company for 2 years and then became Executive Secretary to the President of King-Stevenson Gas & Oil Company. This position allowed her to travel to many places throughout the United States and Canada. She got the travel bug and decided to join the State Department in 1963. Roberta served a two-year assignment in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, working in the Political Section of the American Embassy before it was later moved to Brasilia. There she met William W. John, her husband-to-be. They attended both Embassy events and parties, as well as William’s military events, where he was serving his second 2-year term as head of the Joint Army/Air Force Exchange Service & Commissary. His position provided a chauffeur and entry into restricted elite areas at his favorite activities – horse and dog racing and soccer games with Pele. It was a fun two-year courtship. William and Roberta returned to the States, married in Coffeyville in 1965, and moved to Tennessee, transferring to headquarters in Dallas two years later. The unexpected death of his brother, James, necessitated his leaving the Exchange Service and their move to Brownsville, TX where he joined his nephew, Jimmy, in operating Mr. John’s International Man’s Shop. They remained in Brownsville through William’s retirement and raised their two children there. Roberta was a stay-at-home mom but very active in both her children’s many activities, traveling throughout the state often for swim meets, many sports games, and loved doing it. When the kids went off to college, her mother came to live with them. During that time, she put her business degree to work once again by becoming active as William’s online trader and handling their tax returns. Roberta was preceded in death by William in June of 2002, their infant son Anthony William John in August of 1966, and her cherished sisters, Marianne Smith and Linda Carlton. She is survived by her children Marianne Graham (Christopher) McAllen and Steven John (Linda) Conroe, both having been loving and supporting beyond measure. Marianne was nearby handling every need from health problems early on to getting her well set up in assisted living at the Gardens and then doctors’ appointments, shopping, unlimited time. Roberta was blessed with 7 loving grandchildren – Patrick, Timothy, Robert Graham, McAllen, William Cade John, Houston, Abigail John Mosley (Tre’von), Conroe, Nicole Marrella, Conroe, and Richard Adrianarison, Conroe. She is also survived by a great-grandchild: Dante Marrella, Magnolia. We are so thankful for the loving kindness, compassion, and support of Patricia Torres, and Maria Zamora. A Memorial Service will be held at 3:00pm on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at Kreidler Funeral Home in McAllen. Burial will take place at 11:00am on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at Buena Vista Burial Park in Brownsville, Texas. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to a charity of your choice.

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Roberta L. John

August 22, 2025