Letha “Janell” Roberts of Hermiston died on April 21, 2026 in Hermiston at the age of 91 surrounded by her family.
She was born on April 24, 1934 in Anson, Texas to Louis Carroll Stinnett and Vernan Elma Russell Stinnett.
“As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God” (Psalm 42:1). We are grateful God’s love dwelled within her and that she modeled His love for us. We thank our Heavenly Father for receiving her with open arms.
She enjoyed reading her Bible, typing up the weekly church bulletin and attending Sunday school and worship services. She sewed clothes for herself and her girls, as well as teaching each of them how to sew for themselves. She required them to perfect their hand stitching before they were ever allowed to use a sewing machine. She loved quilting and crocheting, seeing to it that her girls learned each of these skills. In her younger years, she belonged to various bowling leagues and learned to play golf. Later in life, she relished finding the weekly golf tournament on TV and was an avid fan of “Murder, She Wrote”, as well as “Matlock” (the original).
Janell, as she liked to be called, is survived by a sister, Nancy A. Graeve, husband John and son Gary D. Mayfield; three daughters, Patricia J. Roberts, Cynthia D. Roberts and Susan E. Thomas; son-in-law, John W. Thomas; grandchildren, Rachel S. McFaddin and husband, Clint, Michael T. Surprenant and wife, Bethany, W. Tyler Thomas and wife, Ashlie, and Linsey M. Ware and husband, Kyle; and great-grandchildren, Aiden 15, Peyton 13, Ashlyn 7, Dashel 15, Leo 13, Ava 13, Austin 11, and Alani 9.
She was preceded in death by her mother and father; two brothers; many aunts and uncles; her husband of 46 years, Todd N. Roberts Jr. (1997); her grandson, Douglas C. DesJardins (killed in action in Iraq, 2006); and her great-grandson, Owen M. McFadden (one day old, 2015).
A private family celebration will be held.
Please share memories of Letha with her family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
