Roberta Morris Parsons passed away on July 10, 2021 in Jacksonville Beach, Florida at the age of 100. Born in Salisbury, MD on August 27, 1920, she was the oldest of four children born to John L. and Louise W. Morris. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert W. Parsons, her three siblings, Richard W. Morris, Eloise Nelson Smith and I. Scott Morris, and her daughter-in-law, Peggy Parsons. She lived in Salisbury until the age of 97 when, following a stroke, she moved to Florida where her daughter, Louise, lives.
Roberta graduated from Wicomico High School in 1937, and then attended Salisbury State Teachers College before moving to Baltimore where she graduated from Strayer’s Business College. She met her future husband while in Baltimore and they were married in March 1941 and shared 59 years of marriage.
Roberta worked as Administrative Director at Wicomico Presbyterian Church. She had many wonderful friends with whom she loved to play golf and bridge. She was a member of the Wicomico Garden Club and an avid reader, spending many hours in the library. She enjoyed knitting and needle work, making many gifts for her children, grandchildren, and friends over the years.
She is survived by her three children, Louise Ponder (Larry) of Jacksonville Beach, Florida; Robert Parsons of Salisbury; Robbie Respess (Randy) of Ellicott City. She is also survived by seven grandchildren, Katherine Ponder, Scott Ponder (Dana), Laura Kaspar (Robin), Rob Parsons (Christy), Andy Eckert (Amy), Ann Aguirre (Charlie) and Julie Kilcur (Patrick), and 26 great-grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held on Monday, July 26, 2021, at 11:30 at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 115 St. Peter’s Street, Salisbury, MD 21801 where friends may visit from 10:30 – 11:30 at the church. The Rev. Greg Harbaugh will officiate. Interment will be private in Parsons Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Coastal Hospice, P.O. Box 1733, Salisbury, MD 21802 or Salisbury University Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 2655, Salisbury, MD 21802.
