Octova Mae (Toby) Roberts

October 23, 1923 - January 25, 2014

Octova (Toby) Stewart was born in Darlington, Indiana. Her parents were Mark Louis Stewart and Laura Emmelene Gordon. She graduated from high school in 1941 in Thornton, Indiana and moved to Indianapolis.

While in Indianapolis, she attended business school where she learned short hand and typing. After finishing business school, she worked for the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company where she met her future husband, Donald Roberts. They were married on August 8th, 1942. She was blessed with three children. Larry, born June 13, 1943, Thomas, born January 28th, 1947, and Sue Ellen, born April 21, 1957. Six grand children, Wendy, Jill, Andy, Bart, Michael, Laura Beth, and three step grand children, Steven, Michael, and Denise. She also has seven great grand children. She was proceeded in death by her husband of 69 years in November, 2011.

She retired from Shell Oil Company after 24 years of service. She was an avid seamstress and made many of the clothes that she wore while working at Shell. After retiring, she started quilting. Her quilts appeared in many exhibitions. She was also a basket weaver and was a member of the Indianapolis Basket Guild. For many years, she taught basket weaving. She also loved to garden and especially loved working in her roses. She loved to travel, meet new people, go camping, picnics, bowling, and playing cards.

Toby was a member of the Corinthian Chapter of the Eastern Star and long term member of Ben Davis Christian Church.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to Ben Davis Christian Church, 701 South High School Road, Indianapolis, IN 46241 .www.bdcc.org