Dale Roberts

Dale Wakefield Roberts, age 68, of Watkinsville, Georgia passed away in her sleep on October 14, 2016, while on vacation with family and friends in Cuba. Dale was born in Pleasant Hill, TN, to the late Donald and Evelyn Wakefield. Her family moved often in those days, among various towns in Tennessee, Ohio, and Florida, but many of her fondest childhood days were spent "making mischief" with her cousins and grandparents on the Cumberland Plateau of TN. After finishing high school in Bowling Green, OH, she attended the University of Tennessee, where she graduated with a degree in Spanish with a minor in art. These topics reflect her keen interest in cultural history and diversity, which turned up time and again through a lifetime of painting and drawing, collecting pottery, books, recipes, antiques, and other finely-crafted artworks, and travel to the four corners of the globe.

Though her heart was firmly rooted at the family farm in Watkinsville, where she lived for 40 years, she also loved to "escape" with loved ones to her other two oases in the GA mountains and Dauphin Island, AL. Regardless the locale, she was ever the gracious southern hostess, working tirelessly - and usually behind the scenes - to ensure that her guests were in good spirits, food and drink were plentiful, and children and grandchildren using their good manners. Her professional life was varied and illustrious, culminating in a long career in the cellular industry, during which she was nationally recognized for her leadership skills and from which she retired as a regional account manager for Verizon Wireless in 2005. Her colleagues remember her as a committed and compassionate leader with a gift for mentoring and empowering her employees. Upon retirement, she focused her energies on her grandchildren, whom she lavished with attention, affection, and chocolate.

Dale is predeceased by her brother, Scott Wakefield, of Monterey TN. She is survived by James Henry Roberts Jr. of Watkinsville, her husband of 45 years, her sons James Henry Roberts III and Justin Webb Roberts, her daughters-in-law Tonja Dawn Roberts and Jessica Chambers Roberts, her grandchildren Holly Rebecca Roberts, Riley Rose Roberts, Turner Webb Roberts, and Eliza Jane Roberts, and her nieces Jaclyn Wakefield and Jenna Wakefield. Of course, this list hardly scratches the surface of survivors who will sorely miss Dale's bright mind, graceful charm, and compassionate heart. She made the world a classier place.

A celebration of Dale's life will be held on Sunday, October 23rd, from 2-4 PM at the Roberts family home at 1370 Jones Road, Watkinsville, GA. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to two charities held dear to Dale: Camp Sunshine 1850 Clairmont Rd Decatur, GA 30033 and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 501 St Jude Place Memphis TN 38105. Lord and Stephens, West is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com