Roberta Brenda Murff Obituary (2024)

Roberta Brenda (Neely) Murff, 71, a long-time resident of Yakima and Grandview, Washington, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, January 6, 2024. Roberta will be deeply missed by all who shared life with her, especially her family and friends. She was a daughter, wife, mother, military spouse, grandmother, Christian, kind, loving, dedicated to her family and friends. Roberta was born on October 21, 1952, to Roy and Viola (Myers) Neely, in Baltimore, Maryland. Robertas father was stationed at Aberdeen Proving Ground. Roy and Viola had twins at a Baltimore hospital. Roberta was the oldest by minutes, while her brother, Robert, was the youngest. She felt like a second mother to her brother providing advice and assistance whenever needed. While her father was stationed at Yuma Proving Ground, Roberta attended grade school, Kofa High School, and Beauty School. She graduated from high school and Beauty School at the same time. She met her future husband, Samuel Murff, at Kofa High School as a first-year student. They were married in the Morningside Baptist Church, in Yuma, Arizona. She followed her husband to Phoenix, Arizona, where he was enrolled at the Grand Canyon College a Southern Baptist sponsor college. Her husband joined the Army Medical Department. Roberta became an army officers wife without hesitation and with three children to raise. The family was stationed at Fort McClellan, Fort Sam Houston, Fort Dix, Aberdeen Proving Ground, and Fort Lewis. Finally, Roberta, with children in tow, followed her husband to the Hanford areas, where he accepted work. While living in Yakima West Valley, she worked for JC Penney Company as a sales associate selling cosmetics. After the Yakima JCPenney store closed, the family moved to Grandview, Washington. Roberta transferred to the Columbia Center JCPenney store in Kennewick, Washington, where she sold jewelry until she took early retirement for health reasons. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Samuel James Murff, their daughters, Bernadette Gann and Jennilyn Stott, Viola Laguna (mother), Robert B. Neely (brother), Linda Laguna (sister) and Isabella Gamache (granddaughter). Roberta is preceded in death by her father, Roy Neely, and her daughter, Nannette Sue Curran. A Celebration of Life will be held on January 19, 2024, at 2:00pm, at Shaw & Sons Funeral Home (201 N. 2nd St., Yakima, WA 89801). Shaw & Sons Funeral Home is caring for the family. Memories and condolences can be shared at www.shawandsons.com.