Obituary

Roberta J. “Bobbie” Trantham lost her battle to cancer with family by her side on Saturday (Dec. 25, 2010) in her son’s home.

Bobbie was born on Oct. 8, 1941, to Rosco and Vivian Brown. They preceded her in death. Bobbie had three children from her first marriage, two sons and one daughter. She married Rex W. Trantham on March 1, 1966. The two families joined together, giving her another daughter and son. Rex preceded her in death in August 2005.
Bobbie lived most of her life in Billings, Mo., on the family farm. Most of her career was self-employment by running two family restaurants, a tax service and Stix & Stones Lapidary. She was a worthy matron of The Eastern Star and a member of The Rainbow Girls and Job’s Daughters.
Bobbie and Rex both were active in the Masonic organization. They also volunteered at the Shriner’s Burn and Crippled Children’s Hospital. Following Rex’s death, Bobbie moved to Newton to live with her son and daughter-in-law.

Bobbie was one of 11 children. She is survived by brothers, Robert Brown, George Brown and Keith Brown, all of Ohio, and sisters, Janie Hayes, Judy Stewart and Nancy Wingo, all of Ohio. Bobbie also is survived by her children, Dwayne (Darlene) Herman of Newton, Dan Herman Jr. (Ellen Burton) of Wichita, Karen (Richard) Jones and Mike Trantham, all of Springfield, Mo.; six grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by brothers, Kirby Brown, LeeRoy Brown and Rosco Brown Jr., and sister, Mary Lou Trowbridge. Her daughter, Debbie Brundage, preceded her in death in August. She also was preceded in death by a grandson, Jason Emerson of Springfield, Mo.

A cremation has taken place at Petersen’s Funeral Home in Newton. Bobbie will be laid to rest next to Rex at 10 a.m. Monday (January 3, 2011) during a graveside memorial service at White Chapel Cemetery in Springfield, Mo.