DeVaney Pope "Dee" Roberts

DeVaney Pope "Dee" Roberts, our strong and loving Mother, Sister, and Friend, departed this life for heaven in the early morning hours of January 12, 2013, at Briarwood Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. She inspired all who knew her with a zest for life and gift of hospitality. She left a great legacy through her three sons. A memorial service will be held in the Chapel at Immanuel Baptist Church, 501 N. Shackleford, Little Rock, Ark., on Friday, February 1, 2013 at 11 a.m. Dee was born the first of three daughters to William DeVaney Pope and Gertrude Erwin Pope on March 27, 1922, in Marvell, Arkansas. Hendrix College is where she met the love of her life, Taylor Royal Roberts, and they celebrated 42 years of marriage before his death in 1986. Although her husband's service in World War II and the FBI facilitated life adventures in California, Indiana and Pennsylvania, her ties to Arkansas remained very strong. Dee loved her family and especially enjoyed spending time with them at Lake Hamilton where she stayed in her home on the lake as a widow after Taylor's death. She was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Hot Springs and during her time in Little Rock she was active at St. James UMC. Her hobbies included bridge, travel, antiquing and cooking memorable meals for many family gatherings. Her Christmas cookies were a special treat and tradition. Dee was preceded in death by her parents and husband. She was also recently preceded in death by a very special sister-in-law, Ella Ruth Davis and is survived by another sister-in-law, Bernice Carrigan of North Little Rock, Ark. Together Dee, Ella Ruth and Bernice were exceptional role models and matriarchs for their families and shared wonderful pleasures and deep sorrows. Dee is also survived by Michael Taylor Roberts and wife, Anita, of Shreveport, La.; their son, Tom Roberts and wife, Jeanice, and great-grandson, Taylor Roberts, all of Maumelle, Ark.; their daughter Crystal Quillin and husband, Curtis, of Seminole, Okla. and great-grandsons Michael and Ryan Sharpe of Broken Arrow, Okla.; by William Pope Roberts and wife, Debbie, of Palm Springs, Calif.; their son Brian Roberts and daughter, Sarah Cox and her husband, Brandon, all of Arlington, Va.; by Robert Cecil "Bob" Roberts and wife Stacy, and their children Rachel, Caroline and Rees Roberts, all of Little Rock, Ark. Dee loved her sisters dearly. Jane Pope Glass survives her in Marvell, Ark., still living in the family home. Jane's daughter, Becky Hall, was a devoted and loving niece to Dee especially during the last nine years of her life in Little Rock. Her youngest sister, Barbara Pope Moeller, and husband Larry, survive her in Dallas, Texas. Dee's memory will be cherished by many nieces and nephews and their children from coast to coast. The Grace Sunday School Class of Immanuel Baptist Church welcomed Dee into the class after her move to Little Rock in 2003. The church staff and members of this wonderful class ministered extensively to Dee over the past two years of her declining health. The family also thanks Lisa Lowery of Parkway Heights for her tremendous care and support during Dee's seven years there, as well as the compassion and care of Arkansas Hospice nurses and staff. Dee would be so pleased if in lieu of flowers donations were made to the Arkansas United Methodist Foundation, 5300 Evergreen, Little Rock, Ark. 72205; Hendrix College, 1600 Washington, Conway, Ark. 72032, or to the Bereavement Committee of Immanuel Baptist Church, 501 N. Shackleford Rd., Little Rock, Ark. 72211. Dee's inner strength, beauty, and character came from a strong faith and belief in God and that "Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world." I John 4:4. Arrangements by Roller-Chenal Funeral Home 13801 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, Arkansas 72211 (501) 224-8300. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.