Helen Roberts

Helen Harris Roberts of Birmingham, Al. went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, September 30, 2021, peacefully in her sleep at the nursing facility where she resided for the last 5 years.

Born in Altoona, Al, November 26, 1926. At age 2, she moved with her parents, Beulah and Vester Harris, to West Virginia where Vester gained employment in the coal mines.

At age 13, while visiting her grandparents, Minnie and John Hopper, she met her future husband, Delmos “Duck” Roberts. She and her cousins were walking up the dirt road past “Duck’s” grandparents’ farm. She often said she thought he was the cutest boy she had ever seen. After two years of many letters and secret plans, on July 9, 1942, they married in Gadsden, Al.

When the Army Air Force enlisted Duck March 1943, Helen was very supportive of Duck, traveled with him during training, and waited with her parents in WVa for his return from overseas. She occupied her time working as the only female butcher at the coal mining company Butcher Shop.

Upon his return, they settled into married life, enjoyed traveling until his discharge October,1945, then settled in Birmingham, AL, where he returned to work at the telephone company and she found bookkeeping work with Tractor & Equipment Co. She used to joke when they lived in different cities, she worked as a “Soda Jerk” in Drug Stores.

She worked until 1948, when their first daughter, Jane, was born. She then took the hardest job that exist by becoming a homemaker and stay-at-home Mother. She kept their home spotless, while being active in Jane’s school activities and the community. In 1960, their second daughter, Angela, was born. She continued to maintain her standard for their home, be active with both daughters, the community, and was always there to assist family and friends.

She was a Red Cross Volunteer helping with blood drives, as well as tornado disasters in the community.

She loved dancing with her children, singing hymns with her sisters, flower gardening, flea marketing and auctions with Duck, holidays with family, and loved the many pets that came and went over the years.

Her quick wit and sense of humor will be missed.

She is now at peace with no more pain and suffering her earthly body gave her.

Further Up the Road we shall all meet again and it will be a glorious reunion.

She is survived by her daughters, Jane Roberts (Keith) Thrash of McCalla, AL; Angela Roberts (Andrew) Trayer of Boiling Springs, PA; sister, Nancy Harris of Birmingham, AL; nephew, Lloyd (Susie) Nutter Jr of McDonough, Ga.; numerous cousins, and friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 78 yrs.10 mos, Delmos “Duck” Roberts; her Parents, Vester Andrew and Beulah Mae (Hopper) Harris; sister, Betty (Harris/Nutter) Alverson; her Parents-in-Law, Clifton “Bunt” and Ava “Alver” (Barnes) Roberts; numerous cousins, and friends.

Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, October 13, 2021at 2:00 PM at Samuels’ Chapel Church, Altoona, Alabama with Rev. Freddy Kenner Officiating. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, October 13, 2021 from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM. at Samuels’ Chapel Church prior to the funeral. Burial will follow in Samuels’ Chapel Cemetery following the funeral.

Pallbearers will be Ernie Payne, Daryl Blanton, James “Tarzan” Golden, Gary Foster, Andrew Trayer.

Service will be held by Rev. Freddy Kenner. Music by Mary Kate Gibbs

Services in care of Jefferson Memorial Gardens, Trussville, Al.