Roberta “Bobbie” Jean Wood, 84, of Baxter Springs died at her home October 30, 2022 after a brief battle with cancer. Born February 25, 1938 in Joplin, Mo., Bobbie was the daughter of Gerald Livingston and Roberta (Sigars) Livingston.
Bobbie graduated from Baxter Springs High School then entered St. John’s Hospital School of Nursing graduating Cum Laude in 1958. She returned to college graduating Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Missouri Southern State College in 1991. She went on to complete her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Kansas in 1994.
Bobbie and her high school sweetheart, Lyle Wood were united in marriage in 1959. He preceded her in death in 2020. They were together 68 years. She worked for many years at Baxter Memorial Hospital in Baxter Springs before becoming a Nurse Educator at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College in Miami, Okla.
Bobbie loved taking care of people. Her career as a nurse enabled her to care for and comfort others and she continued to care for others her entire life. She enjoyed time spent with her grandchildren and great-grandson. She was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church of Baxter Springs. She was also a member of the Baxter Springs Chapter BT of the PEO sisterhood.
Bobbie is survived by sons David Wood and Steven Wood; daughter Catherine Smith (husband Mike) all from Baxter Springs. Four grandchildren, Tori Miller (husband Zach), Peyton Smith and Jack Smith of Baxter Springs and Matthew Smith (wife Lacie) of Carl Junction, Mo.; great-grandson, Emmett Miller; sister-in-law, Linda Goodrich (husband Malcolm) of Miami, Okla.; along with nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly also survive.
Visitation was November 2 with the funeral service held Thursday, November 3. at First Baptist Church of Baxter Springs. Burial was in Baxter Springs cemetery.