Roberta K. (Rapp) Cantrell

Roberta Katherine Cantrell loved Easter, always celebrating our resurrected Lord in a big way, so it was only fitting she went to be with her Lord and Savior a little before sunrise Easter morning April 17, 2022. The family will receive guests Thursday evening April 28, 2022 from 6-7 at Schooler Funeral Home 4100 S. Georgia.  Funeral services will take place Friday morning April 29, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at The Church at Quail Creek in Amarillo with Rev. Dale Moreland officiating. Interment will follow at Memory Gardens.

Roberta (Grandma Bert) was born in Deepwater, Missouri to Ruby Katherine Rapp and Louis Rapp on February 16, 1929. She was the eldest of 7 children born to this hard working, God- fearing couple. The family moved to the Oklahoma panhandle after Roberta was born and Hooker was where they settled. Roberta always talked about helping her momma with her younger siblings, which led her to a joyful life of caring for others. After high school, she went on her own to the big city of Amarillo and attended Northwest Texas Hospital School of Nursing, graduating in 1950. She told many stories of living in the school dorm and working at the hospital during her college years, and she made lifelong friends during these years. In fact, Roberta was set up on a blind date by one of her roommates and ended up marrying him! However, if you talked to Mack he might have said MAYBE they were married as it was on April 1, 1950-April Fool’s Day! They eloped, Roberta went back to her dorm, and did not tell anyone they were married. In the 1940’s a student could not marry while in Nursing school, or she was expelled.  After Roberta received her Nursing degree, they announced they were married and started their life together.

Roberta loved being an RN and started her career at the VA. Then for a period of time she was at the hospital in Guymon and worked in the Hooker clinic.  After she and Mack had children they moved the family to Amarillo, and she worked at the Public Health Department, making this her lifelong career. She retired in 1993.

As much as Roberta loved being a nurse, she loved being a mom and grandma even more. Her five grandchildren were the true joy of her life. Grandma Bert was always making them her famous chocolate chip cookies or Strawberry cake. She loved them deeply and above all she wanted them to know their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Roberta was very active in her church Quail Creek, attending bible studies, going on retreats, and most importantly to her- serving others with funeral dinners.  She was usually in charge of the fried chicken! She was also a member and served an office of Randall County Extension Agents for many years.

Roberta is preceded in death by her husband Walter Mack Cantrell, father Louis Rapp, mother Ruby Rapp, her baby brother Emil Rapp, brothers Sheldon Louis Rapp and Loren Paul Rapp, sister-in- law Wynona Rapp, brother in law Arlen Southern, brother in law Bobby Cantrell and wife Marlene Cantrell.   She is survived by son Kenneth Cantrell, daughter Kathy Ray and husband Jim all of Amarillo. Sisters Beth Louise Southern of West Chester, Pennsylvania, Ruthe Boyles and husband Diz of Hooker, OK,  brother Jimmy Rapp of Hooker, sister in law Bethie Rapp of Hooker.  Five grandchildren,  Jeremy Ray of San Antonio, Lindsey Altmeyer and husband Luke of Dallas, Drew Russell and wife Kristi of Amarillo, Matt Cantrell of Amarillo, and Heather Cantrell and fiancé Paul Turman of Amarillo. Six great grandchildren, Olen Ray, Katy Jane, Witten and Walter Altmeyer, Penelope and Mack Cantrell, Hadley Cantrell. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the caregivers and staff at Bristol Park Amarillo for caring for Bert as if she were their mother, especially Michelle, Bekki, Arturo, Stephanie, Shane, Anthony, Suzanne, Lori, and Makayla.

Memorials can be made to Snack Pak 4 Kids 701 Park Place Ave, Amarillo TX 79101; or Heal the City 609 South Carolina, Amarillo TX 79106.