Roberta Gidney

Julia Roberta Gidney, 89, of Waco, passed away Thursday, July 30, 2009. Services will be 10 a.m. Monday, August 3, at the Waco Memorial Park Mausoleum Chapel, 6623 S. Interstate 35, with Rev. Ron Hill officiating. Visitation will be 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. Sunday at OakCrest Funeral Home, 4520 Bosque Blvd.

Roberta was born May 29, 1920 in Maypearl to James W. and Lydia Ann Delina (McElroy) Williamson. On March 29, 1943, Roberta married James H. Gidney in Itasca. Roberta was a member of the First Baptist Church of Waco since 1954, and she taught children's' Sunday School classes for over 50 years. Roberta was a member of Ridgewood Country Club where she enjoyed playing bridge and golf. She was a volunteer for the American Red Cross for many years. Roberta especially enjoyed traveling with her friends. She loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and she will be dearly missed.

Roberta was preceded in death by her husband, James H. Gidney; and seven siblings, Archie, Jay, Dub, Lucy, Evie, Nettie and Marie.

She is survived by son, James W. (Giz) Gidney and wife, Peggy of Hewitt; daughter, Holly Ferguson and husband, Dan of Houston; grandchildren, Dan Ferguson of Houston, Ann Marie Austin and husband, Mike of Houston, James Koby Gidney of College Station, and Johnathan Cory Gidney of Hewitt; and great-grandchildren, Matthew, Joshua, Jacob, Rachel, Aaron, and Nathanael Austin, all of Houston.

The family extends a special thanks to Regent Care Center, Bluebonnett Hospice, and Courtyard Nursing Home.

Memorials may be made to the American Red Cross, Scottish Rite Hospital, or the charity of your choice.