Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Roberta Alice James Ross, at the young age of 88, passed away September 21, 2010 in her home in Lawrenceville, Georgia.
Roberta was born April 01, 1922 in Atlanta, Logan, Illinois, the only child to Kenneth Ernest and Mary Ellen Hawkins James. She married William C. Watkins in 1941 and then married Paul R. Ross in the 70’s, both preceded her in death. She is survived by her three children, Ken Watkins of Texas, Claudia Haxton (Ron) of Georgia and Rob Watkins of Minnesota and 7 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren and a cousin Nancy of Florida.
She had a very simple childhood but also was fortunate enough to experience a few “extra things” being the only child. She was surrounded by Aunts, Uncles and Grandparents that were involved in her life. She experienced the restaurant business that her Grandfather, Robert Lee James and her Grandmother, Ollie Mae Wylie James operated in Atlanta, Illinois. She kept a skillet that her Grandpa used to cook eggs in. He always said “If you don’t work you don’t eat”.
The passing of her father at a young age took her family to Lincoln, Logan, Illinois where she grew up and spent a lot of her adult life.
Her generation experienced many great changes that our nation has endured. There was the great depression and unfortunately many wars. She worked in an ammunition factory while our men and her husband were overseas. She lived up to the 1940’s slogan YOU CAN DO IT! She experienced great changes in transportation, communication and life styles. She would hand write letters instead of email and type her business letters from a typewriter.
She raised three children on her own, being a single mom was not easy. She worked at Stetson China Company for 15 years In Lincoln. There she did delicate china painting. She sold insurance, was a bookkeeper, a waitress at Howard Johnson and sometimes worked three jobs to pay the rent and put food on the table. She was self motivated.
She was a lover of music. She loved big band music. Swing was in. She listened to the Mills Brothers, Frank Sinatra and enjoyed all the great singers of her time. She was a collector and through her collections she was a historian. She loved to crochet, quilt, sew and research the family history. She loved her family and friends and was always there to help.
She never left the house without her hair brushed and her lipstick on.
She will be remembered as Mom, Grandma, Roberta, Bobbie, and Bert by her family and friends.
Her final resting place is The New Union Cemetery, Lincoln, Logan, Illinois.
Arrangements by SouthCare Cremation Society and Memorial Centers in Alpharetta. 678-735-5500.
PEDIGREE
Roberta Alice James
. Kenneth Earnest James & Mary Ellen Hawkins
.. Robert E. Lee James St. & Ollie May Wiley
… Daniel Field James Sr. & Mary Jane Constant
…. John Lightfoot James & Margaret T. Brown
RELATED
Descendants of John Lightfoot James