INDIANAPOLIS
Barbara Roberts, age 94, of Indianapolis, passed away on October 25, 2021 surrounded by family.
She was born the first of three children to Ralph E. and Lucille (Matlock) Monteith on October 6, 1927. Her siblings are Ralph Monteith and Nancy Talley.
Barb married her now deceased husband, William F., on Jan.11, 1947 and had two children Sharon and Bill.
She attended church at Friedens United Church of Christ of Indianapolis with her friends.
She graduated from Southport High School on the southside of Indianapolis in the Class of 1945. Along with working a few jobs locally, she found her “niche” in teaching. She began her career as a kindergarten teacher at both a private school in Indianapolis and in the Whiteland School System. Following her kindergarten experience, she taught at St. Marks Catholic School where she found and cultivated friendships with the other teachers mostly being nuns of the church.
She later attended at the University of Indianapolis (formerly Indiana Central College) where she obtained a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Education. Following graduation from University of Indianapolis, she obtained a Master’s Degree in Education from Indiana University. Following that, Barb taught at Douglas MacArthur Grade School in Indianapolis for a total of 18 years. She loved teaching fourth graders, and left great lasting impressions on many of her students as well as her peers.
Barb was a devout member of the Order of the Easter Star in her earlier years, had numerous dogs throughout her life (Mona, Pepe’, Clancy, and Mandy). She and her husband were very involved in playing cards and enjoyed playing Bridge. She also enjoyed reading and traveling.
Barb is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Sharon (Fred) Brenton, and son and daughter-in-law, Bill (Karen) Roberts. Grandchildren are Scott, Julie, Jenny, Laura, and Diane. Great-grandchildren include Jackson, Drue, Brianna, Emily, Grace, Reid, Ella, Calvin, Ally, Luke, Oliver, Jack, Nora, and Dean. Additionally, she had one great-great grandchild, Hudson.
Barbara’s remains will be entombed next to her loving husband at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens. She will be remembered by family at the Franklin Chapel at the Forest Lawn Memory Gardens on Saturday, October 30th, 2021. A family memorial visitation will begin at 10 o’clock a.m. and a celebration of life will be held at 11:00 o’clock a.m. following visitation.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation at
https://act.alz.org/site/TR/Events/Tributes-AlzheimersChampions?pxfid=718702&fr_id=1060&pg=fund.
