Jessie Raymond Roberson of Columbia, Raymond to his friends and family, passed away peacefully on April 10, 2025. He was born April 4, 1921 on a farm outside Holliday, Missouri to Oscar and Blanche Roberson, the 10th of their 11 children. He spent most of his youth in Moberly, Missouri graduating from Moberly Junior College. It was in Moberly where he met and eventually married Opal Belle Forrest on October 18, 1941. They were married over 72 years until Opal’s passing in 2013.
Raymond enlisted in the United States Navy and served in the South Pacific during World War II. After the war he returned to Moberly and attended the University of Missouri – Columbia through the GI Bill. He hitchhiked the thirty miles to Columbia every day he had class and to his recollection only had one day where he didn’t get a ride! He graduated with a degree in accounting. He spent most of his working life at Missouri Farmers Association where he served for over 30 years, many of those years as head of the Accounting Department. Raymond also served as a bi-vocational preacher spending his weekends and vacations in various churches around mid-Missouri. His longest tenures were with Salem Baptist Church outside Paris, Missouri and Perche Baptist Church outside Clark, Missouri.
Raymond was a hard worker. Many days would see him come home from work for supper and after watching the news he would return to work through the evenings. When he was home, he always had a project of some sort, building shelves, furniture, working on the house. His children learned early how to find the tools he needed! He was a lifelong Missouri Tiger football and basketball fan and spent many hours cheering for the home team.
Raymond was preceded in death by his parents Oscar and Blanche, his wife Opal, 5 brothers – Chris, Kay, Denzil Otis and Lester and five sisters Gladys Elva, Helen, Mae and Glessie.
He is survived by four children, Bruce (Linda) Roberson, Daniel Roberson, Patty (Kent) Russell, and David (Lynn) Roberson, 6 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren with one more due soon.
Visitation will be held from 1-2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 with a memorial service at 2 p.m. at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 West Columbia, MO. Burial with Military Honors will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery.
The family wishes to thank the staff at the Harry S Truman VA Community Living Center for their kindness and care for Raymond during the last few years of his life. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Community Living Center. Donations may be sent to Ron Graves, Chief CDCE, Truman VA Hospital, 800 Hospital Dr., Columbia MO. 65201. In the memo field please put: In memory of Jessie Raymond Roberson.
Condolences and fond memories may be shared at www.memorialfuneralhomeandcemetery.com
