Bertha Irene Bates Roberts, age 85 of Murphy passed away on February 19th, 2021 following a period of declining health. Bertha was born to Elbert and Susie Long Bates of Unaka, NC.
Bertha graduated from Hiwassee Dam High School in 1953. Following graduation, she worked in Atlanta, eventually returning home and becoming a wife, mother, homemaker, grandmother and great grandmother.
Bertha was a gardener and seamstress, often sharing her preserved foods and skilled needlework with her family and loved ones. She loved her grandchildren and created many treasured memories with them. She also loved her great grandchildren and always looked forward to a visit from them.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by brothers, Homer, EG and Leonard Cole and sister Annie Bates.
Survivors include: son, Gary Roberts and wife Kelly of Murphy; grandchildren: Brandy Roberts and fiancé Hayden Christy of Murphy, Lindsay Roberts Fleming and husband Clay of Atlanta, Georgia, and Tracy Roberts Brown and husband Marcus Brown of Atlanta, Georgia; nine great grandchildren: Alex Rose, Jared Rose, Carly Rose, Phillip Rose, Anna Fleming, Luke Fleming, Noelle Fleming, Reagan Fleming and Rory Fleming. She is also survived by her former-spouse, Glenn Roberts, who continued to be supportive to her throughout her life.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at Townson-Rose Funeral Home of Murphy from 1:00 PM till 2:00 PM. The funeral and celebration of life service will be held in the Townson-Rose Funeral Home Chapel, to be followed by the burial at Unaka Baptist Church Cemetery. The Rev. Alan Harris will be officiating. Pallbearers will be Marcus Brown, Hayden Christy, David Payne and Josh Grubb. Honorary pallbearer is Bruce Burgess.
We appreciate everyone that will be attending the visitation and celebration of life, but we respectively require that everyone wear a mask and practice social distancing.
Townson-Rose Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
You may send tributes to the family at
www.townson-rose.com
