The News Courier in Athens, Alabama

May 5, 2012

Evelyn Roberts


The News Courier

— Evelyn Jean Hardaway Roberts, 85, passed away Friday, May 4, 2012, at her residence. Mrs. Roberts was born Sept. 6, 1926, in Nashville to Dudley Hardaway and Gertrude Rice Hardaway.

Services for Mrs. Roberts will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Limestone Chapel Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 11 until 1:45 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Athens City Cemetery with Danny McMullins and Ricky Lowry officiating. 

She is survived by her daughters, Betty Turpen and husband Bobby of Athens, and Carol Balch and husband Danny of Madison; grandchildren, Tammy Bell and husband Mark of Huntsville, Terry Turpen and wife Wendy of Athens, and Joey Balch of Madison; great-grandchildren, Tyler Dowland and wife Caroline, Thomas Bell, Drew Turpen and Luke Turpen; brothers, Dudley Hardaway Jr. and Charles Hardaway both of Columbia, Tenn., and Winston Hardaway of Cibolo, Texas.

She was preceded in death by her husband Raymond Roberts; her parents; and one grandson, Robby Balch.

Pallbearers are Terry Turpen, Joey Balch, Mark Bell, Tyler Dowland, Thomas Bell, Drew Turpen and Luke Turpen.  Honorary pallbearers are Larry Marsh, Alan Marsh, Don Marsh and Gary Weatherly. 

Mrs. Roberts was a loving, caring and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. The pride of her life was her family and she loved her Lord and enjoyed doing his work. 

She was married to her high school sweetheart Raymond Roberts for 65 years. Mr. Roberts was the owner of the John Deere dealership for 32 years. Mrs. Roberts helped to manage the family farm as well as the businesses, Rocket Produce and Roberts Orchard. She served the Lord as a Sunday School teacher at New Hope Baptist Church for 53 years with a love to all of the children. The American Cancer Society originated her first, as a breast cancer survivor, for a personal representative for the “Reach to Recovery Program” in Limestone County.  She served for 27 years, helping the needs one-on-one visiting cancer patients in their recovery.

Along with her husband, she was a charter member of the Limestone County Farm Bureau for 55 years.  She served as a member of the board of directors as well as an officer.  She also served as an officer on the Women of Alfa Committee for a number of years. 

Mrs. Roberts was a prior member of the Bethel and Antioch Homemakers Club for many years and was also a member of the Cambridge Lane Sewing Club.  She was chosen as Limestone County’s Outstanding Club Member of the Year.  She also served as a Red Cross volunteer at Athens-Limestone Hospital.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to New Hope Baptist Church building fund. 

Please sign our online guest book at limestonechapel.com


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