Roberta Lee "Bert" (Rafferty) Birk

Roberta Lee (Rafferty) Birk born into this world on June 12, 1940 to the parents of Mary Mollenhour and Robert Rafferty Sr. was born into an eternal heavenly life on Thursday, October 1, 2015. She was affectionately known as Bert to her friends and family. Bert attended Immaculate Conception School. She was a 1958 graduate of Jackson R-2 where she was a cheerleader, Carnival Queen and Silver Arrow Queen. She then attended SEMO. She worked at Ann's Dress Shop in Jackson during her high school years. Later, she was a receptionist/bookkeeper for her brother's business, Pest Free years later. After many years of staying home to provide her children with a loving home environment before sending them off to school she became a bus driver for the R-2 school district and later worked as a cook in the school cafeteria. As her children all began leaving the nest she began yet another career of care giving but this time in Pastoral Care at Southeast Hospital. When she was no longer able to do that she quickly learned the craft of piecing quilts. It gave her great joy to give her quilts as gifts to her children, grandchildren and numerous other friends and family members. She is survived by a loving husband of 55 years, Bill Birk who cared for her diligently through her 16 years of struggling with Parkinson's disease; five loving sons, Andy (Glenna), Rob (Debbie), Tony, Billy and Tyler (Krista) and one daughter, Nancy (Gary) Seyer; ten grandchildren, Jamie (Landon) Bollinger, Leslie Birk, Andy Jay Birk, Chelsea (Garrett) Patterson, Taylor, Bailey Jo, Lilly, Tristan, Paisley and Chandler Seyer; two great-grandchildren, Carson and Jaxson; two sisters, Sue (Don) Ludwig, Ann (Joe) Donnelly; brother, Bob (Susie) Rafferty Jr.; sister-in-law, Cherry Sue Birk; numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded into eternal life by her parents; an infant brother and brother-in-law, Joe Birk. Visitation will be Friday, October 2, 2015 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Jackson. Parrish prayers will begin at 7:00 p.m. followed by the Rosary. Funeral Mass will be Saturday, October 3, 2015 at 9:30 a.m. at the church with Msgr. Edward M. Eftink, PH.D. officiating. Entombment will immediately follow at Cape County Memorial Park & Mausoleum. Memorial donations may be given to the Cross Catholic Outreach, PO Box 273908, Boca Raton, Florida 33427-3908.

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Roberta Lee "Bert" (Rafferty) Birk

June 12, 1940 - October 1, 2015