Mary Patricia Roberts

Mrs. Mary Patricia Roberts, age 79, of Franklin, KY, passed away on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at The Medical Center in Bowling Green, KY.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 11, 2024, from 1:00 PM until 5:00 PM at Gilbert Funeral Home & Crematory. Visitation will continue Sunday, May 12, 2024, from 6:00 AM until 2:00 PM at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held, Sunday, May 12, at 2:00 PM with interment to follow in Sulphur Spring Cemetery in Simpson County, KY.

Mary Patricia was born on June 6, 1944, in Robertson County, TN to the late Herschel Black and to the late Minnie Bell (Scott) Black. She is also preceded in death by her husband, Terry Roberts, and 6 siblings, Charles Black, Hobert Black, Lloyd Black, James Black, Ella Mae Swann and Donovan Black. 

She is survived by her 3 Children, Tracey Roberts of Birmingham, AL,  Debbie Roberts of Sierra Madre, CA, Bart (Kim) Roberts of Franklin, KY, 2 Siblings, Clarise Lehman of Portland, TN and Ophelia Couts of Springfield, TN, 4 grandchildren, Jessica Clayton, Maisie Henderson, Riley Henderson and Zoie Roberts, 2 great-grandchildren, Maci Clayton and Madison Clayton, many nieces and nephews, and her extended family member, companion and caregiver, Suellen Walton.

Mary Patricia was introduced to the love of her life, Terry Roberts, by her first cousin, Judy Black, and Judy’s husband, the Reverend Winston Roberts. Mary Patricia had been a beauty queen in Robertson County, Tennessee and, after she nearly drowned Terry when he attempted to teach her to swim, he proposed, and they eloped to Ringgold, Georgia. From the tender ages of 19 and 20, they enjoyed 55 years of marriage. Terry and Mary Patricia were members of First Baptist Church in Franklin, KY. Mary Patricia loved novels, romantic comedies, and political news. She watched all the sports with her late husband, including Kentucky basketball, Alabama football, and U.S. Olympics. She supported the Goodnight Library, Wounded Warriors, and American Indian and First Peoples cultural and civil rights organizations. When her children were in school, she was involved in Simpson County Homemakers, 4-H, and the PTA. She served as a Band Booster for all of Tracey’s marching band concerts, attended all of Debbie’s cheerleading competitions, and accompanied Bart to his karate matches and competitive rifle-shooting events. While she left her bookkeeping job with Simpson County Bank in 1969 to devote herself to homemaking, she returned to part-time work at Alliance Rubber Company and sold Mary Kay Cosmetics in the 1980s to support her kids through college. She ensured that each of her children received a college education and learned to swim, opportunities that she had never had. 

Arrangements are under the direction of Gilbert Funeral Home & Crematory. The website is www.gilbertfhonline.com. The Facebook page is Gilbert Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. The obituary phone line is 270-586-8844.