Earlene Roberts
Earlene Graves Roberts, of Chattanooga, died on June 27, 2014; one week shy of her 92nd birthday.
She was born July 4, 1922 to Almena Cheever Graves and Earl Elsworth Graves of Colchester, Il. She married Warren Walton Roberts on Dec. 23, 1945. He preceded her in death March 1, 1999, having been married 54 years. Together, she and Warren raised two children, Stanley and Stephen Roberts. The family started their home in Colchester, Il., and Pittsburgh, but spent most of their married life in Chattanooga.
Earlene graduated from Western Illinois University in 1946, with a degree in education. She was a member of the Kappa Kappa Iota sorority and taught elementary schools in Illinois, Missouri, Hamilton County, and Rossville.
Earlene was a member of the Ashland Terrace Christian Church in Chattanooga, where she taught Sunday School for many years. She established and maintained the church library, being honored by having the library named after her. Earlene was very devoted to God and his teachings, never missing an opportunity to share her love of Him with anyone she talked to. One of the many ways she showed her love of God was by volunteering for the American Red Cross at Erlanger Hospital for 10 years after she retired from teaching.
One of Earlene's legacies is her many poems she has written over the years. She started writing poetry in her early 20s and continued writing throughout the year of her death. At the age of 88, she finally published her book of poetry, "Rainbows and Silver Linings". She also published a children's book "Freddie the Ferret and His Boy" at the age of 91.
Known as the Butterfly Lady in the assisted living facility she lived in for the last 10 years of her life, Earlene made many of the residents smile as she showed them the more than 200 butterflies she had hanging in her room. Her sense of humor (even on her deathbed) also brought a smile to many faces. She will surely be missed by her family and many friends & neighbors.
Earlene is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Warren and her twin brother and sister, both deceased in infancy.
She is survived by her two sons, Stan (wife Joan) and Steve (wife Donna) and her three grandsons, Benjamin, Christopher and Michael Roberts.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on July 2, at the Ashland Terrace Christian Church, 915 Ashland Terrace, Chattanooga, officiated by Reverend Brad McDowell and Reverend Phil Summerlin. Burial is at the National Cemetery, 1200 Bailey Ave.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Foundation Fighting Blindness, P.O. Box 17279, Baltimore, Md. 21297-0495.
Please visit www.lanefh.com to share condolences.
Visitation is from 5-8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 1, at Lane Funeral Home, 601 Ashland Terrace, 423 877-3524.