Virginia Lee Rothgeb was born February 23, 1928 in Jonesboro, AR and passed away from this life on October 19, 2021. Lee, as she was called by her friends, was the daughter of John and Jessie (Roberts) Sanders. Being raised in a Christian home by her mom and dad, she professed her faith and love for Jesus Christ her entire life.
Lee graduated from Thayer High School in 1946. Lee worked at many different jobs during her lifetime starting as early as the age of 15 where she worked as a telephone operator having to learn the entire switchboard of numbers for the people in Thayer. She was a receptionist / bookkeeper at Carter Funeral Home in Thayer. While living in Willow Springs she was the secretary to the Superintendent of schools while she and her husband Don Rothgeb, Jr built and owned the successful business Hillbilly Land (later known as Hillbilly Junction). After working for the Thayer High School as secretary to the high school principal, Lee moved to Alton where she worked for 20 years in the Oregon County Health Department as a Clerk Typist II. Not being scared of work even at the age of 75 she was hired as a substitute teacher for the Mammoth Springs schools.
Lee was a very active volunteer of her community and church such as playing the organ for the Methodist Church for well over 25 years and various other churches many additional years. She was a past member of the Crescite, Eastern Star and PEO clubs and she assisted with the Mitten Tree in Oregon County for several years.
Lee loved her family and always made them a top priority. She had three sons and a daughter; David Lee Rothgeb, William Daniel (Billy Dan) Rothgeb, Joseph Rothgeb and wife, Lesa and Rachel Dawn Johnson. She was blessed with four grandchildren whom she loved very much; Windy Rothgeb, Jared Cates, Zachary Rothgeb and Landon Rothgeb. Lee also loved her dogs, Odie John Roberts, Molly Jessie Roberts, Maizie Daisy Roberts and Boo Radley Roberts very much as they were a wonderful part of her life.
Preceding her in death were her parents; John and Jessie (Roberts) Sanders, four brothers; Lawrence Sanders, Hugh Sanders, Robert Sanders and John Richard Sanders, one sister Gertrude Sanders Coleman; one son, William Daniel (Billy Dan) Rothgeb, Daughter in law, April Rothgeb and one granddaughter, Windy Autumn Rothgeb.
Lee will always be remembered for the love and devotion she had for her family that was evident in many different ways. When her second son Billy Dan was born, she was told that he most likely would not live but for a few weeks due to a serious heart condition at the time. But with her faith in God and the love and constant care she gave him, he lived a great life for 17 years. Lee will also be remembered for her sense of humor and infectious laugh. She could never tell a joke because when she would get to the punch line, she could never tell it because she was already laughing too hard to tell it. Lee absolutely loved playing bridge and playing the piano. She was an avid bridge player for well over 40 years, many times playing twice a week. She loved the piano and shared her talent of the piano by teaching lessons to many kids in Willow Springs, Thayer and Alton.
Lee will be missed very much. With her strong faith in Jesus Christ, her witty sense of humor and her ability to work through difficult and challenging times, her life touched so many people in a positive way.
Lee is survived by her children; David, Joe and Rachel and grandchildren; Jared, Zach and Landon.
Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 23, 2021 at Clary Funeral Home in Thayer, MO, with Pastor Rick Brothers officiating. Interment will be in the Thayer Cemetery.
