Elizabeth J Roberts

On Friday, May 22, 2020, Elizabeth Jean Roberts, affectionately known as “Betty” entered Heaven at the age of 81 after a short illness. Betty was born July 10, 1938, in Fredericksburg, VA to John Boyd Poates and Annie Elizabeth Allen. She is survived by her daughter, Deborah Jean Hursa (Joseph), her granddaughters Lori Jameson Fichera (Randy), Sara Elizabeth Hursa, and Emily Nicole Hopkins, her great granddaughters Kinsley Kathleen Fichera, Savannah Kaye Hill and Elizabeth Grace Hopkins. Betty is also survived by a sister-in-law, Patricia Katharine Poates and many nephews, nieces, great nephews, and great nieces. She was preceded in death by her father, Jonnie; her mother, Annie; her brother, Preston Boyd Poates; and her sister, Margaret Anne Mills and brother-in-law Chester Allen Mills. Betty moved from Falmouth/Fredericksburg to Alexandria around 1942. Here in Alexandria she received baptism in 1950 and graduated from George Washington High School in Alexandria, VA in 1957. She lived mostly in Columbia, South Carolina while raising Debbie, working secretarial jobs, selling Mary Kay, enjoyed cooking, cross stitching, crocheting, sewing, RVing at Beaufort, SC and loving on a multitude of dogs including: Goldie, Celestine, Lolli, Angelique, Annabelle and many others. In the 1980’s she ran a home daycare. During these years, in 1983, she rededicated her life to the Lord. Her smile drew folks in to her affectious personality. She was spiritually attuned to God and frequently knew if something was up. At times, she would tell you she had been thinking or really rather praying for you and oh, it was God’s perfect timing. Sacrificing much, Betty temporarily moved back to Alexandria around 1987 to care for her dying daddy and then her mother. She remained in northern Virginia after their deaths. She found employment in the clinic at Belleview Elementary School and office work for a local chiropractor. Retirement came in the early 2000’s. In 2010, she moved into Greenspring Senior Living Community, where she enjoyed putting puzzles together and no homeownership upkeep. As time progressed, she increasingly stayed in her apartment. She relished her ability to watch The Village Church services on the TV, visits from family and friends, nightly “good-night” calls from her neighbor Jean, occasional visits from the visitation pastor or a field trip with nieces. Despite a lifetime of health issues, determination allowed her to continue living in independent living. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: The Village Church at Greenspring, 7420 Spring Village Drive, Springfield, VA 22150. Checks should be sent to the above address. www.gsvillagechurch.org or Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), 1235 S Clark St, Suite 305, Arlington, VA 22202 www.aafa.org