Barbara June Roberts

December 24, 1935 - March 18, 2022

Barbara was a special baby, born on Christmas Eve in 1935 at home in Pawlet Vermont. Her younger years were difficult from foster care to being raised by her sister. She knew that she wanted to grow up and help others, after graduating NY Granville High School, she ran away to enlist in the US Air Force. First stop was Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio TX. She was officially a WAF and Airman. She was stationed at Warren AFB in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Her and the other WAFs loved working during the day and singing at night. Her next assignment would change the course of her life forever. She was transferred to New Jersey McGuire AF Base. Upon arrival she met Carl Roberts her future husband of 66 years. While walking with friends to a pay phone, Carl stopped and gave them a ride, the rest is history. While at McGuire she was an Assistant to the Commander of the Medical Division of the Military Air Lift Command supporting the Vietnam War. In 1957 she participated in Operation Safe Haven, the evacuation of Hungarian refugees to the US using C-118 aircraft. On May 18, 1956, Barbara and Carl made it official and were married. In 1960, the next step was a super secret assignment in Italy, a cold war missile base. The secret was not well kept, family sent them front page news clips of the Italian Base and the US presence. While in Italy, Barbara lived in an Italian neighborhood, learned the language and was embraced by the Italian community. 1962 they headed back to the US to Patrick AFB, Florida where the Cuban Missile Crisis was in full swing. Carl worked with the coastal defense units in the area around the base. Only child Karla arrived in 1964 at Patrick AFB Hospital. Barbara spent the next years focused on Karla ensuring she had a happy childhood, even though Karla had multiple medical issues. Barbara was always positive, helping others, she loved traveling, coaching volleyball teams, and even helped put in the first beach volleyball court in Cocoa Beach. Life changed again when Carl was assigned to Little Rock AFB, Jacksonville Arkansas, where he worked Titan Missile maintenance. Barbara sold Avon door to door to meet others on the Air Force Base, was deeply involved in Karla’s school and community activities. Their love for Volleyball continue to grow. In 1974, Barbara was appointed Delta Region Administrator for United States Volleyball Association (USVBA). The Delta Region spanned 4 states, including Arkansas, Tennessee, Louisiana & Florida. Barbara was Co-Chair of the USA Volleyball All-American Selection Committee for 20+ years. In 1991, Barbara was awarded the Most Prestigious Award given by the United States Volleyball Association. The George E Fisher Leader in Volleyball Award for 20+ years of Outstanding Service. In 1993, Barbara was invited to travel to Jakarta Indonesia for the Sister Cities World Games with the University of Arkansas Volleyball Team. Arkansas Governor & Future President Bill Clinton was involved and responsible for Arkansas being invited to this event. Through the years, Barbara was deeply involved in Special Olympics Volleyball. In 1991, she took a group of athletes from Arkansas to the World Games in Minneapolis Minnesota, they flew on a corporate jet, walked into the stadium as Stars, watched Prince give a powerful performance and competed well. Barbara made it her mission to ensure the Athletes had an unforgettable time, she was successful. In 2000, Barbara and Carl retired and started living with Karla (daughter) and Jeff (son in law) in Waycross Georgia. In 2000, the family started a 22+ year tradition of displaying a Christmas Village & Trains for the community to stop by and see. For 9 years in Waycross Barbara and Carl would set up the display in the picture window and then each night hand out candy canes & wish everyone Merry Christmas. Then in 2009, they moved again with Karla & Jeff to Olive Branch, MS. A new start for the Christmas Village and Trains, it now had a place in the 2-car garage, Barbara was the designer. Santa would stop by and hand out toys to the children and for 14+ days the family would share their Christmas Spirit with the community. This was Barbara’s favorite time of year, she loved giving to others. In 2018, Barbara made the move to the Sunshine State and Solivita. With 2 cats, a dog, Carl, Karla & Jeff in tow she arrived on January 14 in Florida, the weather was beautiful, and she never looked back. The Christmas Village and Trains had a new home in the garage, each year they are set up and the display is open to all, Barbara loved seeing others enjoy the display and sharing her Christmas Spirit. Most days Barbara would be on the golf cart looking for wildlife - deer, turkey, boars, alligators+. She also loved music, going to dances, concerts & events, every Sunday she would go to the Forever Young Music Session. She enjoyed multiple clubs - the Butterfly Club, Bunco, Wii Bowling, the PALS (pet) Events and Astronomy Club. Every day she looked forward to sitting in the garage and waving & talking to the dogs and people walking by. On March 1, 2022, Barbara had a great time at the Mardi Gras Parade tossing beads from the PALS Golf Cart to the crowd. Barbara will be missed, but we know that she is busy writing her next chapter, reuniting with all of her fur babies at the Rainbow Bridge for tail wags & puppy kisses and reuniting with family & friends...A Life Well Lived, Full of Fun, Love and Happiness.