Roberta Fern Hutcheson's Obituary
Roberta Fern Hutcheson, 93, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, passed away on Wednesday, October 18, after being under brief hospice care.
Fern was born on August 22, 1930, to George Finis and Vida May (Randel) Ringo in Dalhart, Texas. She was the third of seven children.
Fern grew up in Texas and spent a lot of time on her grandmother’s farm. In 1948, she met the only man she ever loved, Billy D. Hutcheson and they wed a few short months later. They remained committed and devoted to each other until his passing in 2000. Immediately after marrying, Bill and Fern moved to Rogers, Arkansas, then to Texarkana, Arkansas, then eventually to Tulsa, Oklahoma. Fern worked most of her early life as a waitress, she was very good at that job – and could carry up to seven plates of food on both arms and serve her customers with dropping anything. She really enjoyed that work, because she got to be personally engaged with so many people and she loved serving them. After moving to Oklahoma, she devoted her time to her family, then helping care for her grandchildren and friends’ children. Later on, she provided custodial services for a steel company until she retired.
Bill & Fern had five children and were very proud of each one of them. Through example, they taught them to work hard for what they want, always do an honest day’s work, family comes first – but always help others when you can. They supported all their kids and grandkids, throughout the many accomplishments and difficulties of their lives. Fern always said her greatest accomplishment was her children. She was a talented seamstress and artist – and the BEST cook that ever entered a kitchen; her cooking was just another extension of her love.
Fern was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 52-years, Billy D., her daughter (first born) Lela Jean (Thompson), sisters: Beulah (Simms), Mary (Doyle), Shirley (Vermillion), and Martha (Cleaver).
She is survived by her daughter, Janet (Douglas), Sand Springs, son Billy W. Hutcheson and wife Debbie, of Broken Arrow, daughter Nancy (Fitts) and husband Jeff, of Claremore, daughter Vicki (Beighle) and husband Austin of Broken Arrow, honorary son, Bob Sleeter, of Avery, TX, brother Robert Ringo and wife Carolyn of Amarillo, TX, and brother Richard Ringo, Amarillo, Texas, sixteen grandchildren, thirty-seven great-grandchildren, seven great-great grandchildren and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Public visitation will be held Tuesday, October 24th, beginning at 10:00 a.m., with family presence from 4-6:00 p.m., public viewing 5-7:00 p.m. Floral Haven Chapel, Broken Arrow, OK.
The funeral service will be at 10:00 AM, Wednesday, October 25, 2023, at Floral Haven Funeral Home Chapel
What’s your fondest memory of Roberta?
What’s a lesson you learned from Roberta?
Share a story where Roberta's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Roberta you’ll never forget.
How did Roberta make you smile?