Harlingen/Rancho Viejo:
Roberta Beveridge Ellis, 82, passed away Saturday, December 9, 2006 following a lengthy illness.
Roberta was born in Grant, NE on October 14, 1924 and grew up in Tulsa, OK. She attended the University of Tulsa, National University of Mexico in Mexico City and graduated from the University of Wisconsin in Madison in 1946. There she was president of Kappa Delta Sorority and Pan Hellenic, where she helped to organize coeds for campus teas, dances and social affairs at Truax Air Field. Roberta later received a permanent Teachers Certificate from Texas A & I University in Kingsville, TX and taught in the Harlingen School District for 16 years.
Roberta was an active member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Harlingen for 30 years before to moving to Rancho Viejo. She and Mrs. Bill Devine instituted SAMS (St. Anthony’s Mothers) to help the nuns and lay teachers on campus. She was a member of the P.T.A. at St. Anthony’s Catholic School, St. Joseph Academy, Villa Maria, Austin and Sam Houston Elementary Schools. Roberta was also a member of the Junior League, Cameron County Bar Wives and the local DOES when her husband was the state president of the Elks. She was a member of Rancho Viejo Country Club and R.V. Book Club.
Roberta’s avocation was the American Contract Bridge League. She was a charter member of the Harlingen Bridge Club, later serving as President and President of the District. She served on the Nations Board of Governors and attended National and Regional Tournaments in Mexico City, Can Cun, Puerta Vallarta, Corpus Christi, Dallas, San Antonio, Houston, Reno, Las Vegas and Bermuda. She amassed more that 1700 points and attained the status of Silver Life Master.
She is survived by her loving family, son, Brad Ellis (Marion Daniel) of Houston; daughter, Valerie Ellis Keys (Ron) of Washington, DC; daughter-in-law, Sherrie Ellis; grandchildren, Coty Muehe, Kristen, Angela, and Zack Ellis of Sante Fe, TX; Elizabeth King (Rob) of Birmingham, AL; Alison Shwedo (B.J.) of San Antonio and Jonathan Keys of Atlanta, GA; her precious great-grandchildren are William M. Shwedo, named in memory of her great grandfather, Joel William Ellis and Scott Shwedo; Chloe and Rory King. Also surviving are her are her sister-in-law, Geral Beveridge of Midland, TX; niece, Lisa Herbig (John), nephew, Dirk Beveridge and her housekeeper and friend, Genoveva Castillo. Roberta was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Joel William Ellis, whom she saw the world with, sons, Josh and Dirk, brother, Richard Beveridge and parents, John and Blanche Beveridge.
Visitation hours will be from 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM, with the family receiving friends from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Wednesday, December 13, 2006 at the funeral home.
Funeral services will be held at the Mont Meta Memorial Park Mausoleum in San Benito, 2:00 PM, Thursday, December 14, 2006 with Deacon Gilbert Perez officiating.
The family request that memorial contributions may be made to the Valley Baptist Medical Hospital, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 510 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to the charity of choic
You are invited to sign the guestbook at www.buck-ashcraft.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home.