Roberts, Virginia Marie Phillips

In Atlanta, Ga., on July 20, 2009, Virginia Marie Phillips Roberts passed away in her home on E. Paces Ferry Rd. She was born in Greenbush, Warren Co., Ill. on April 24, 1931 to Gary R. and Grace Bishop Phillips late of Floyd, Va. They preceded her in death in 1987 and 2003 respectively, and her brother, Alvin “Sonny” Phillips, died in 1948. She is descended from Colonial Virginia settlers on her paternal and maternal sides of the family, and with a wave of her hand, said “So what?”

Virginia grew up in Topeco Church of the Brethren in Floyd, Va. and attended the Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, Ga.

Survivors include her daughters, Patricia Hallows Langley of Alpharetta, Ga., Roslyn Hallows Waller and her husband, Wade of Chesterfield, Va. and their children, Sarah Marie and Daniel, Theresa Halach Taylor and husband Gregory of Dallas, Ga. and their daughter, Sharon Files Hightower and husband Phillip of Rockmart, Ga. Virginia’s only son is August Halach, Jr. and his wife Robin of Midlothian, Va. She had great pleasure with her only great-granddaughter, Abigail Grace Hightower. Virginia is also survived by her sister, Betty Ann Phillips Rice and her husband Clive E. of Roanoke, Va., and their daughter, Martha Ann and James Massey and their three daughters of Macon, Ga.

Virginia was a free-spirit who lived by her own rules. She had a wonderful sense of humor, loved people, and insisted they follow her lead for a good time. She served in the United States Air Force, and was a Licensed Practical Nurse and Medical Technician by profession. She had worked in hospitals in Richmond, Va., and Atlanta, Ga., and before her retirement, she worked with Hospice.

Christian services were held at Bellamy Funeral Home, Powder Springs, Ga., Thursday, July 23, 2009 at 7 p.m. Local services will be on Tuesday, July 28, 2009 at Mayberry Funeral Home, Floyd, Va. followed by interment of urn at Jacksonville burial ground, Floyd.