Sandra Sell Roberts

Sandra Sell Johnson Roberts was born to Frankie and Virgil Sell on October 19, 1935 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The family moved to Houston when Sandra was fifteen. She attended Lamar High School and graduated in 1953. She then went on to attend Texas Tech, where she majored in architecture. After two years, she returned to Houston to get a full-time job.

Sandra met her first husband, Ben Johnson, and was married in 1957. Ben was an active U.S. Marine stationed in San Clemente at Camp Pendleton. Their daughter Gretchen was born in 1958, and their son Bo was born a year later in 1959. Sandra and Ben divorced in 1961, but remained friends the rest of her life.

Sandra worked as a secretary for major chemical companies until she secured a position at Rice University in the office of the Chairman of the Electrical Engineering Department. Gary Roberts was a graduate student in Electrical Engineering when he spotted Sandra on the Rice University campus in 1973. He began hanging around her office, and it was not long before the pair fell in love. They were married on August 15, 1975. The happy couple, along with Gretchen and Bo, shared a two-bedroom apartment until Gary graduated in 1977 with a doctorate in electrical engineering. After the marriage, Sandra changed positions at Rice and worked for the Dean of Humanities, where she remained until she and Gary left Texas. In September of 1977, the couple moved to Ventura, California.

With Gretchen away at Texas A & M, Sandra, Gary, and Bo began adjusting to California life. Sandra and Gary remained in California for 23 years, spending 18 of those years in Santa Barbara. In the 1980’s, Sandra became involved with the Santa Barbara Symphony. In 2000, they moved back to Houston. They built a garage apartment behind Gretchen’s house, and the couple lived there until Sandra’s death. Gary and Sandra were a devoted couple for over 35 years. They brought out the best in each other. Sandra was a source of great strength and encouragement for her husband. At a difficult time in his life, she helped him to once again feel joy and happiness, and showed him how to face difficulties in a more constructive manner. He owes her an incalculable debt that can never be repaid. She was truly a wife, life partner, and best friend, in all the best senses of those words.

Sandra, known affectionately by her family as MuMu, has had a fun, full life. She was an avid Rice football and baseball fan, as well as an artist, and loved gardening. It was a comforting sight to her neighbors when they spotted Sandra puttering around her garden with a friendly smile on her face, and a “hello!” for all who passed by.

Sandra passed away April 10, 2011. She is survived by her husband, Gary Eugene Roberts; children, Gretchen and Bo Johnson, and 4 grandchildren; Ben, Oliver, Sam, and Stacy. A visitation will be held on Thursday, April 14, 2011 from 2 pm until 4 pm. A memorial service will be held on Friday, April 15, 2011 at 2 pm. Both services will be at Heights Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to The Galveston Historical Foundation. Sandra is loved by many and will be missed by all.