Maidalyn Roberts

Maidalyn McGaha Roberts of Fort Worth, Texas was born in Causey, New Mexico on September 8, 1937, and passed away peacefully in Fort Worth, Texas on September 22, 2023, at the age of 86. After graduating from Causey High School in 1955, she went on to pursue a degree in Journalism at Eastern New Mexico University where she met the love of her life, Gayland Roberts. They married in Portales, New Mexico on September 7, 1958, then loved each other for more than 64 years until his death in May 2023. When asked to recall an important life lesson that she had learned, she replied, “Marry the right guy, which I did.”

At birth, she was named Frances Jewel by her father, but her mother had intended to name her Maidalyn, to rhyme with Mary Glynne, the youngest of the older five McGaha children. Her mother called her Maidalyn, but her daddy always called her “the baby.” Later in life, Maidalyn cared for her sister Mary Glynne for almost 30 years and in doing so taught her three daughters how to love and care for others selflessly and unconditionally.

Her first job was at the Eastern New Mexico University Bible Chair working as a secretary, and after her graduation from ENMU she worked for the Portales newspaper. Later, as a working mom, Maidalyn spent most of her career processing medical claims for various doctors and medical clinics in Hobbs, New Mexico. After retiring in 1992, she was able to enjoy a great deal of travel with Gayland and visited many destinations with friends and family over the years.

She and Gayland were always faithful members of a local church of Christ everywhere they lived. For many years she lovingly taught babies in the Cradle Roll Bible Class with her sweet singing voice. She worked quietly as a faithful, soft spoken servant, helping anywhere she was needed.

She filled the role of Grama with delight and pride, and her four grandchildren delighted in the doting love of their Grama.

Maidalyn has passed into the arms of our Lord and joined her husband, Gayland Wilson Roberts, in heaven. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Perry Wilson McGaha and Bertha Griffin McGaha, and her five siblings, Mertice Kirk, Curtis McGaha, LaVonne Mock, Olive McGaha, and Mary Glynne McGaha. She is survived by daughter Kelly Conway and her husband Brian Conway, daughter Karen Gowing and her husband Gil Gowing, daughter Karol Westbrook and her husband Paul Westbrook, and four grandchildren: Samuel Westbrook, Benton Westbrook, Kara Conway, and Langston Westbrook.

The family will host guests for visitation at 10:00 a.m. on October 7, 2023, at Keller Church of Christ, located at 205 S Elm St, Keller, TX 76248, with the funeral service beginning at 11:00 a.m. A brief burial service will follow at Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park, located at 5725 Colleyville Blvd, Colleyville, TX 76034.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution in Maidalyn’s name to the New Mexico Christian Children’s Home at this link https://nmcch.org/donate/