Obituary for Dorothy Roop Roberts

Dorothy Roop Roberts of Pulaski, passed away on September 6th. She was born August 22, 1927 in the Beckley WV area. She just celebrated her 95th birthday. She was born to the Rev. Ellis and Madelene Nunn. She grew up in a large family that settled in Draper, Virginia.

She graduated from Draper High School and then attended Bluefield Secretarial College. While in high school she played on the basketball team and was especially proud of her half-court shot. She continued to be athletic throughout life, exercising several times a week at the pool and walking almost daily.

While living in Draper she met the Roop family that lived across the road. After World II Elza and Dorothy fell in love and married in 1948. They had 2 daughters, Sheila Roop, of Christiansburg and Susan Roop Dalrymple of Draper, VA.

Dorothy worked at Virginia Maid Hosiery in Pulaski as administrative assistant to the plant manager.

When Elza fell ill, Dorothy took care of him until he died at age 67. She later met and married Jim Roberts. She met Jim while listening to music with her best friend and sister-in-law, Nancy Mitchell Roop. Jim and she traveled, danced to bluegrass music and enjoyed each other for several years. She later cared for him when he became ill.

Dorothy will be remembered for her love of bluegrass and country music. She loved to dance with her son-in-law. She enjoyed raising roses, painting and talking to her neighbors. She was very crafty and took painting classes and stained-glass classes at New River Valley Fine Arts. She began piano lessons at age 90 and lived on her own until age 92. She was a strong woman who was always there for her daughters and taught her daughters to be strong. She was a Christian woman that never wavered in her faith. She attended Dublin Baptist Church and loved her church family.

She was predeceased by her brothers Claude, Rudolph, Robert, Ellis Jr, Ross and Dickie. She is survived by her daughters Sheila Roop and Susan Roop Dalrymple (Timothy). Sister, Nancy Nunn Passarelli (Joe) of Charlotte, NC, grandchildren Jacob Dalrymple, David Plemen (Leah), Adam Plemen (Stevie) and Christopher Plemen (Melissa). Great grandchildren Harper Plemen, Brendan and Cade Plemen and Dylan Plemen and step great grandchild Baron Musik who she fondly called Hank. And many nieces and nephews.

Special thanks to Pulaski Health and Rehab staff and Dr. Williams, Pori’shua Jones her caregiver for the last 3 years and her other caregivers that were so good and loving to her. Thanks to her roommate at Pulaski Health and Rehab, Connie Byrd who made her last few weeks so much and her church family at Dublin Baptist Church with their visits, cards and phone calls.

Her family is in the care of Bower Funeral Home. Visitation will be on Saturday, September 10th, at 10:00 AM followed by the funeral service at 11 and the graveside service at Shiloh Cemetery.  Pastor Allen Mahan will perform the service.

If you wish to donate in her name, she would be honored if you would do so to Dublin Baptist Church Food Pantry at 100 Hawkins St., Dublin VA 24084. To sign her online guestbook, visit www.bowerfuneralhome.com