Aug. 29, 1919 – Sept. 11, 2006
Gladys Pearl Roberts, 87, formerly of Sweet Home, died Sept. 11 at the Mennonite Home of Albany.
She was born in Perry, Okla., to Frank & Alberta (Masters) Smelser. As a young child her family moved to the Grand Ronde area, and settled in Willamina. She graduated from high school in Willamina and went to beauty school in Salem. She opened a beauty shop in Willamina. She later met and married Jack Roberts.
They moved to Sweet Home and with her husband’s brother, Wayne, they opened Roberts Bros. Grocery. Two years later Gladys and Jack opened Roberts Men’s Clothes in Sweet Home, which they operated for nearly 30 years.
Mrs. Roberts had many talents and left behind many dear and close friends. She was active in the Eastern Star, Rainbow Girls, the Sweet Home Evangelical Church and was also a 4-H leader. She enjoyed hunting and fishing with family and friends, and painting.
She is survived by sons, Richard of Philadelphia, Donald (and Andrea) of Seattle; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Roberts in 1979 and brothers, Richard and Russell Smelser.
The family would like to give a special thanks to the staff at Willamette Manor in Lebanon, the Mennonite Village in Albany and to the many friends who contributed to her loving care.
Funeral services were held Sept. 16 at the Sweet Home Evangelical Church, with a reception following in the church hall.
Workman & Steckly Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.