Roberta Jean Monroe

Roberta Jean Monroe, of Wood River, Illinois, met Jesus face to face on June 19, 2026, after a brief battle with cancer at the age of 72. She was born on November 24, 1953, in Wood River, Illinois.

Roberta was welcomed into Heaven by her beloved grandmother, Vernie Rice, who preceded her in death. Roberta is survived by her devoted husband, Allen Monroe of Wood River, Illinois; her parents, Robert and Reba Rice of Roxana, Illinois; sons, Justin (Courtney) Monroe – (Allison, Blake, and Luke) and Jason (Megan) Monroe – (Jack, Natalie, and Maverick) of Benton, Arkansas; daughter, Julie (Ben) Settle – (Lindsey and Ryan) of Ozark, Missouri; brother, Bill (Lea) Rice of Raymore, Missouri; sister, Verna Jo (Mark) Tollen of Show Low, Arizona; niece, Ashley (Andy) Weber – (Keaton and Bodie) of Olathe, Kansas as well as many other cherished in-laws and members of her extended family.

Roberta graduated from Roxana High School and later attended Olivet Nazarene University, where she met the love of her life, Allen. They were married on July 6, 1974, and shared nearly 52 years of faithful marriage together. She was an incredible wife, a loving and tireless mother and Grandma Berta, a wonderful friend, and a devoted servant of Christ.

In her younger years, Roberta dedicated herself to her family as a homemaker and then taught preschool at Asbury Methodist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas. Later in life, she owned and operated The Grapevine of Alton, a specialty children’s boutique, for seven years. The fulfillment and success she found in that venture came as no surprise to those who knew her, as it combined two of her passions — shopping and babies!

Roberta’s favorite places to be included the deck of a cruise ship, the white sands of Destin, Florida, anywhere her grandchildren were, and the house of the Lord. A lifelong Nazarene, she faithfully served the Lord for more than 54 years at Roxana Nazarene Church and was also blessed by wonderful years of fellowship and service at Kankakee First Church of the Nazarene, Topeka Westside Church of the Nazarene, North Little Rock First Church of the Nazarene, and Little Rock First Church of the Nazarene.

Roberta had a special passion for God’s Word and attended and taught countless Bible studies both at church and in her home as well as Sunday School classes. She was an avid prayer warrior, faithful servant, and constant encourager to all who knew her. Throughout her life—and particularly during her final days—her faith in Jesus remained at the center of her thoughts, words, and actions. We share in her joy as she spends eternity with her Savior–healed and whole.

Visitation and a Celebration of Life will be held at Roxana Church of the Nazarene (500 N Central Avenue in Roxana, Illinois). Visitation will be on June 21 from 4-7 PM. The Celebration of Life will take place on June 22 at 10 AM, immediately followed by dinner for all gathered. Inurnment will take place at a later date at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Illinois. Memorial gifts may be made to Olivet Nazarene University. Please designate the Allen & Roberta Monroe Family Scholarship Fund.