Published: Monday, August 6, 2007 11:24 PM CDT

Kittie Lee Robertson, 62, died Thursday, Aug. 2, 2007.

She is survived by her husband, Ken, of the home; her sons, Lindsay, of Lee's Summit, Mo., and Whitney, of Rolla; her grandsons, Maxwell and Mitchell, of Pleasant Hope, Mo.; her granddaughters Alexandra and Isabella, of Lee's Summit; her daughter-in-law, Libby Robertson, of Lee's Summit; the family's special friend, Jessica Robertson, of Pleasant Hope; her beloved brother, Randolph Williams, and her sister-in-law, Susie Williams, of Fontana, Wis.; her sister-in-law, Jean Leathers, of Dumas, Texas, and her brother-in-law, Jerry Robertson, an his wife, Charmaine, of Darrouzette, Texas. Kittie was preceded in death by her parents, Gail and Homer Williams of Pittsburgh, Kan.

Kittie was born in Miami, Okla., on July 3, 1945. She graduated from high school in Blackwell, Okla.; Christian College in Columbia, Mo.; the University of Kansas; and did post-graduate work in Germany as a Fullbright Scholar. She was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority at the University of Kansas and of the PEO Sisterhood.

Upon her return from Germany, Kittle joined Christian College, later Columbia College, as a recruiter. It was during this time she met Ken on what is recorded to be one of the most disastrous blind dates in history, found a way to forgive him nonetheless, and created a new life for them together on July 11, 1969. Their sons and grandchildren are the true memorial she would have wished for.

Kittie has been remembered more eloquently by others than this final announcement can hope to accomplish, yet the family finds it essential that her friends and community should know of her deep affection for them. She loved Rolla, her church and, most especially, OAT theater. She adopted Rolla whole-heartedly upon arrival, and no worthy cause failed to gain her support. Her work with them resulted in awards and recognition, but to her they were only evidence that something significant had been accomplished. Kittie was particularly proud of the Rolla soccer program in all of its aspects and never missed a game in which her sons participated. Her association with Rotary International gave her the opportunity to make a contribution to its many community projects and she served on its boards as an officer.

The last years of her life were devoted to OAT. She was a member of its governing board, participated in its performances, and for five years was its spokeswoman. Kittie worked with wonderful board members, actors, directors, crews, and audiences. She was one of the many people who helped create a vital, living theater that the Rolla community has taken to its heart. If those who appreciated her want to truly honor her, think in terms of a "large bouquet' but then, instead, send the money as a donation to the continued work of OAT. The theater is a fragile thing and lives only if its audience and its patrons lend their support.

The loss of Kittie Robertson leaves many to reflect on her contributions to Rolla, among them Mayor William S. Jenks, III.

"She was such a wonderful person," Jenks said. "A very positive person who was always doing something good for the community. Her death is a tremendous loss. It's always troubling when someone who gives so much is gone. I'm sure she has a reserve seat -- the best seat in the house -- in heaven," Jenks said.


ON A PERSONAL NOTE:
Kittie and I have worked on plays together for 7 years. She was so cooperative and even run lights for me sometimes. She was an awesome advocate of live theatre in every capacity. She also had a way of making you feel like you did a good job on the production. With the many insecurities that come with directing a play it was always nice to hear Kittie laughing at rehearsals and patting me on the back for a good job. She will surely be missed in this community and by all those she called her friends. I'm so fortunate to have been one of the many.