Freda (Compton) Lattimore Roberts

Freda Compton Lattimore Roberts, life-long resident of Sallisaw, was born on June 24, 1943 to Orville Compton and Jessie Bruton and departed this life on September 8, 2018. She attended Harrison School and graduated from Sallisaw High School with the Class of 1961. She earned an associate’s degree from Connors State College and then a Bachelor of Arts in English as well as a master’s degree from Northeastern State University.

Freda was blessed with two wonderful husbands: Gary Lattimore, whom she married January 18, 1963; and Earl Roberts, whom she married April 8, 2017.

Freda loved her church, First United Methodist Church of Sallisaw, where she served on numerous committees, lay speaker for 10 years, local leader for many years, Sunday school teacher for 30 years, and choir member. She supported her community and was a founding member of the 14 Flags Historical Society as well a 20-year member of the REBA book club.

“To make a difference” would sum up Freda’s life as she used her brilliant mind to teach and her caring heart to nurture. For 33 years she taught English at Roland High School and was selected by her peers as Teacher of the Year. She was honored as the recipient of the Roland Alumni 2018-19 Scholarship Award. As an active member of the local Alpha Delta Kappa (ADK) sorority of educators, Freda held many local offices, chaired several local committees, and served as State ADK Chaplain and State ADK Historian. Her kind, caring heart extended to animals and she took in countless stray dogs.

Freda was very well known for her ability to write. She wrote many poems, often writing special, personal, commemorative poems for family and friends. She published a book, Bits ‘n Pieces: Musings of an Oklahoma Girl. She helped co-author the Sequoyah County History book, created by the 14 Flags Historical Society. And she edited and improved the writings of numerous students, friends, family, and anyone who asked.

Freda will be missed by her husband, Earl; her son, Trad, & daughter-in-law, Cindy; three stepsons, Johnny Roberts & wife Allison, Jerrod Roberts & wife Drendra, Jeff Roberts & wife Tracy; two grandsons, Trajan and Teagan; seven step-grandchildren; various nieces, nephews, and cousins; a host of friends—and, of course, her animals. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a humane society or the First United Methodist Church’s building fund.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Samuel Gary Lattimore; her parents, Orville and Jessie Compton; 2 sisters, Loretta Izquierdo and Ruby Matteson; and 2 brothers, Walter and Clifford Compton

Funeral service will be at 10:00 am on Thursday, September 13, 2018 at First United Methodist Church in Sallisaw, Oklahoma. Burial will follow at Akins Cemetery in Sallisaw, Oklahoma under the direction of Agent Mallory Martin Funeral Service, Inc.

Viewing will be Wednesday from 1 – 8 pm at Agent Mallory Martin Funeral Home in Sallisaw, Oklahoma. The family will greet from 6 – 8 pm at the funeral home.

Active Pallbearers will be Trad Lattimore, Trajan Lattimore, Teagan Lattimore, Johnny Roberts, Jeff Roberts and Jerrod Roberts

Honorary Pallbearers will be Joi and Denny Maynard, Mae Hudson, Patti Myers, Martha Timmerman, Lucy Randolph and Julie Henderson.