Rebecca Roberts

Tupelo - Rebecca Barnes Roberts, 85, died Monday, July 21, 2008, at The Sanctuary Hospice House after a lengthy illness. A Gilvo Community native and lifelong resident, she was born September 2, 1922, to Graydon W. and Stella Gunter Barnes. She was a 1940 graduate of Mooreville High School and a member of the 1939 and 1940 Mooreville State Champion Basketball team. In 1943, she married Carl H. Roberts who preceded her in death Oct. 1, 2001. She was one of the first reading assistants for the Lee County School System where she served for a number of years. She enjoyed gardening and sports, working the concession stand at Mooreville High School for many years. Primarily, her life was invested in her family, cooking them wonderful meals and spending time with them. She was a member of Allens Chapel United Methodist Church.

Services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at The Jefferson Street Chapel of W. E. Pegues with Rev. Sammy Washburn and Rev. Smith Whiteside officiating. Burial will be in Gilvo Cemetery.

Survivors include two daughters, Joyce Loftin of Tupelo and Angie Roberts of Tupelo; one son, Jerry Roberts and wife, Ruth, of Tupelo; two grandchildren, Jeff Roberts and Camille Mangum and husband, Calvin, all of Tupelo; three step-grandchildren, Daniel Payne of Fort Hood, Tex., Bailey Hendrix and husband, Keith, of Baldwyn, and Katie Payne of Tupelo; six great-grandchildren, Halle and Hunter Roberts, Jake Mangum, Jolie, Candance and Kayden Hendrix.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, of 58 years, Carl H Roberts; one brother James Monroe Barnes.

Pallbearers will be David Horton, Larry Crosby, Kevin St. Romain, Nat Snipes, Bud Coley, and David Lundy.

Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Allens Chapel United Methodist Church, 186 Road 1310, Tupelo MS 38804; or The Sanctuary Hospice House, PO Box 2177, Tupelo MS 38803.