Anna Ellen “Ann” Roberson went to her heavenly home on her 90th birthday, Friday, Oct. 26, 2018.
She was welcomed with open arms by her Lord and Savior.
On Oct. 26, 1928, Ann was born in Adair County, Missouri, daughter of the late Charles Emmett and Myrtle M. (Mitchell) Vaughan. She graduated in 1946 from Herman High School in Missouri, and then furthered her education by receiving her Associates Degree in 1951 from Campbellsville College in Kentucky.
On July 1, 1947, Ann married the love of her life, Ronald Lee Roberson, at the Campbellsville Baptist Church in Campbellsville, Kentucky. They shared over 62 wonderful years of marriage before he preceded her in death on Nov. 21, 2009. They were blessed with three children, Mary in 1950, Nita in 1953, and Dave in 1958.
Throughout her life, Ann was a homemaker and enjoyed her roles as wife of a Navy Chaplain for 20 years and Baptist pastor for over 30 years. She was very supportive of Ron and his work, helping in any way she could. Wherever they were, she always made Ron’s staff feel like family.
She was a wonderful caregiver and had a gift of hospitality, always making others feel welcome. She never stressed over things and instead just went with the flow. She was the primary caregiver for her ailing mother throughout high school and her first year of marriage, until her mother passed in 1948. She and Ron gave up many of their retirement travels to care for his mother. She focused on Ron in his later years.
A woman of faith, Ann was a member of the First Baptist Church in Mount Gilead since 1974. She accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior at an Owensville, MO Baptist Church Revival at the age of 11 and was baptized in the Dry Fork River. At church, she loved working with children, teaching Sunday school and being involved in the women’s missionary group, senior fellowship group and the funeral committee. She spent a great deal of time visiting church members and taking care of many behind the scene roles.
Even when no longer able to be physically present, she kept active making phone calls on behalf of the church, reminding seniors of upcoming activities, seeking people for church roles, and assistance for church funeral meals. Ann always made sure people had a personal relationship with the Lord. She was also a member of the Red Hat Society and a Mother’s Club in Mount Gilead.
The military assignments accorded countless opportunities to experience many locations and friendships. She maintained contact with friends until their death or now hers. Over the years, Ann enjoyed numerous mission’s trips, cruises and yearly trips to Myrtle Beach.
Nita and Mary took her on several memory trips after Ron’s death. She enjoyed camping and at one time had her own dirt bike that she liked to ride. She shared Ron’s CB Radio hobby, going by the name “Raggedy Ann” with her call letters being KPJ3159.
Ann loved her family with all of her heart, being a loving wife, raising her children, and the special bond she had with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was so proud of all of their achievements.
Ann will be dearly missed by her three children: Mary Ellen Hupfer, of Mount Gilead, Nita (Rod) Neel, of Bellville, David Roberson, of Bloomington, Indiana; eight grandchildren: Tony (Tiffani) Hupfer, of Mount Gilead, Carrie (Eric) Frey, of Fairport, New York, Ryan McDonald, of Cardington, Ria (Brian) Hutchinson, of Sunbury, Ryan Neel, of Emigrant, Montana, Ross and Wyatt Roberson, of Bloomington, Indiana, Lacie (Dale) Wallace, of Mount Gilead; seven great grandchildren: Jacob and Zachary Sturges, Mason Hupfer, Caden Frey, Ali Hutchinson, Karley and Kasen Fisher; a great-great grandchild, Ella Sturges; two extended family members: Betty Gromer, of Dublin, Pennsylvania, and Ann Bullington, of Franklin, Indiana; numerous nieces and nephews; and her beloved canine companion, Brittany.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her son-in-law, Joe Hupfer; and brother, Willard Yardley.
Ann’s family will greet friends from noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018, at the First Baptist Church, 51 W. High St., Mount Gilead, Ohio. Services to honor and celebrate her life will take place at 2 p.m. with Pastor Stephan Bloomfield officiating. Burial will follow in Bryn Zion Cemetery.
Memorial contributions, if so desired, may be made in Ann’s name to the First Baptist Church.
Snyder Funeral Homes of Mount Gilead are honored to have been chosen to serve Ann’s family, and your special memories or condolences may be shared with them by visiting www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com.
