Viola Jane Roberts

Vi was born July 15, 1930 in Columbus, OH to Edwin Herman Writesel and Irma Jane Moore Writesel. Vi spent her childhood in Columbus, OH and then met Charles Edward Roberts in 1951. They instantly fell in love and he asked her to marry him within only a few days after meeting her while visiting Charles’ home in Georgia. Charles joined the Army and then the Air Force. Vi stepped into the role as a military wife and then as a wonderful mother. The military took them to many places. They lived in Georgia, Nevada, Puerto Rico, Spain, and New Mexico where Charles retired after 30 years in the military. They then moved to Florida in 1976, near his family, and Charles began his career in the civil service.

Vi was a devoted mother and loved to spend time with her daughters and activities they participated in as they were growing up. She was a Girl Scout leader for many years. She also taught Sunday School at the nearby Methodist Church. She enjoyed playing the piano and was also a band parent. After Charles retired from civil service in 1991 and her daughters were grown, they took a drive up north and stopped in the beautiful historic town of New Bern, NC and decided to make that quaint little town their home. In New Bern, they were very active in the Methodist Church and other activities in the area. Vi also loved drawing and painting so she took art classes throughout her years in New Bern. She was a very talented artist and a few of her paintings were featured in local art shows.

Survivors include her daughter Jeanette Yarrington Roberts (Michael), and two young grandsons Tristan and Preston of Comus, Maryland, her younger brother Ken Writesel of Cedar Hill, Texas, and her younger sister Ethel “Tippy” Dennisson of Stanley, New Mexico.

Vi was preceded in death by her husband Charles Edward Roberts, USAF-retired of Pearson, Georgia and her oldest daughter, Pamela Jane Roberts of Fredericksburg, VA.

A burial service will be held at 11 am, Saturday, January 10th, at the New Bern Memorial Cemetery. Relatives and friends are welcome at the service.

Memorial contributions are welcome and should be mailed to the Centenary United Methodist Church, 309 New Street, New Bern, NC 28560.

Arrangements are by Cotten Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.cottenfuneralhome.com.