Joyce Whitten Abbott, 87, of Roanoke died on Friday, February 4, 2022. She was preceded in death by her first husband of 39 ½ years, George Carlyle Abbott and by her second husband of 3 years, Herbert Leslie Robertson.
Born in Lynchburg, March 2, 1934, she was the daughter of the late John Bennie Whitten and Martha Hall Whitten. Mrs. Abbott was a graduate of Bridgewater College, a member of First Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Roanoke and a member of P.E.O. She taught school in Henrico County before raising her family. Her many friends described her as one of God’s angels; kind, loving and always positive. She was a 47 year cancer survivor, with thanks to Dr. Vandana Karri and the infusion team, and the Brandon Oaks Community.
She is survived by two sons, Michael George Abbott and his wife Patti, and Glenn Whitten Abbott and his wife Anne; three grandchildren, Catherine Abbott Thompson and her husband Travis, David Abbott and his wife Kate, and Benjamin Abbott and one great granddaughter, Scarlet Thompson. She is also survived by Herbert’s children, Leslie Mateer, LeeAnn Wood and husband Aubrey and Lloyd Robertson and wife HeeSun; seven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
A service celebrating her life and faith will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 9, 2022 at Whitten Timberlake Chapel with Pastor Robert Smith officiating. Interment will follow in Fort Hill Memorial Park.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, February 8, 2022 at Whitten Timberlake Chapel, 7404 Timberlake Rd., Lynchburg.
Memorial contributions may be made to First Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 2101 South Jefferson St., Roanoke, VA 24014, or to the Carilion Clinic Foundation Cancer Center Fund, P.O. Box 12187, Roanoke, VA 24023.