Sept. 10, 1934 — Sept. 6, 2026
Roberta Jane Smith Koll, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, aunt and long-time resident of Hathaway passed away Sept. 6, 2026 at the age of 91.
Born on Sept. 10, 1934, Roberta was a graduate of the Jennings High School class of 1952, Southeastern Christian Junior College class of 1955 and McNeese State University (College) class of 1960. She spent one year at Shasta College in Redding, Calif. in 1955-56.
'Aunt Ro,' as many called her, dedicated her life to her faith and her family, spending 40 years as a farmer's wife, substitute teacher at HHS, Boy Scout den mother and caretaker of her in-laws.
For over 50 years, she faithfully taught Sunday School and Ladies Bible Class at the Jennings Church of Christ. For the last 30 years, she was a member of their Dorcas Sewing Group who provided garments each year to foreign missions. In her free time, she sewed baby blankets for friends and relatives, bibs for nursing homes and aprons for many women.
Roberta was married to Robert Koll until his death in 2001. In the following years, she immersed herself into spreading joy by sending cards to all her nieces, nephews and former students, letters to friends and devotional guides to friends and relatives. Her support of Christcentered charities was her personal mission.
Her love of studying God's Word gave her a sweet spirit and touched many around her. She leaves a legacy of what following Christ is all about.
Roberta is survived by her five children: sons, Fredrick (Julie) of lowa; John (Christine) of Hathaway; Richard (Cathy) of League City, Texas; daughters, Phyllis Vandermolen of Jacksonville, Fla. and Mary (Harold) Langley of Jennings; 11 grandchildren and three greatgrandchildren; brothers, Buford Smith of Dugger, Ind. and Tooger Smith of Bloomfield, Ind.; sister, Joyce Broyles of Jennings and many nieces and nephews she cherished.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Koll; parents, Alfred and Agnes Istre Smith; mother and father in-law, Fred and Lennie Koll; brother, Alfred Junior; sister, Jo Anna Morrow; and sister-in-law, Betty Jo Koll.
A visitation for Mrs. Roberta will be held on Saturday Sept. 12, 2026 at Miguez Funeral Home in Jennings from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. A funeral service to honor her life and legacy will be held at 2 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. She will be laid to rest next to her husband in Raymond Methodist Cemetery under the direction of Miguez Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Darryl Broyles, Dakota Koll, Christian Koll, Barron Koll, Aaron Vandermolen, Frankie Ravia and Carolyn Koll. Honorary Pallbearers will be Allyson Langley, Andrea Langley, Peter Koll and Ahnah Koll.
Published in Jennings Daily News September 11, 2026
