Betty Jean (Chittick) Roberts

Betty Jean Chittick Roberts passed away peacefully at her High Vista home in Mills River, NC on the morning of Sunday, January 14th at the age of 88 with her loved ones and her cat by her side. Betty was born in Asheville on June 5, 1935 and lived her entire 88 years in the area, attending Lee H. Edwards and Oakley High Schools in the 1950’s. Known for her brilliant mind, keen wit and compassionate nature, Betty was ahead of her time in all facets of leadership, business and personal skills. She was employed by the Slosman Corporation as the credit and inventory control manager for over 30 years until she retired in the early 1990’s.

She was a devoted and loving wife to her husband, Cecil Lloyd Roberts, for nearly 50 years until his passing in 2016, and together they embraced public service and philanthropy. A champion for women’s advancement through education, Betty was a long standing member of the women’s service organization, Soroptimist International of Asheville, and was elected as Governor of the South Atlantic Region in 1984. She had boundless energy and a great zest for life, and she enjoyed playing golf as well as the piano, creating needlework, crafting, sewing stuffed Christmas bears, watching Jeopardy and football (especially the Dallas Cowboys), reading, shopping and spending time with many friends and family.

Betty is lovingly survived by sons Gerald Roberts (Diane), Derrick Roberts (Crista), nephew George Chittick (Sandy), stepdaughters Pamela Roberts and Cindy Winkenwerder (John), granddaughter Amanda Lacayo (Andre), grandson Gavin Roberts, and several step-grandchildren and step-great grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life is scheduled for noon on Friday, April 5th in the Laurel Room of the High Vista Country Club located at 88 Country Club Road, Mills River, NC 28759. For access to the club please enter through the Main Gate that shares a roadway with Vista Falls Animal Hospital.

Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is assisting the family.