Ruth ROBERTS

WILLIAMSBURG - Ruth Nicholson Roberts, a Williamsburg resident since 1953, died Sept. 29, at age 91, following a short illness. She was the founder of Parlett's gift shop, a talented artist, a patron of the arts and an avid gardener.
Well-known for her energy and independent spirit, Mrs. Roberts founded Parlett's gift shop in 1963. After she retired in 1985, her daughters, Sue Hill and Jacquelyn Sunderland, took over the business.
A 1938 graduate of Maury High School in Norfolk, Mrs. Roberts chose to skip college and study photography in New York City. That began an artistic career that encompassed watercolor, acrylic, oil, collage and a range of creative work with everyday objects.
Elizabeth Roberts, a granddaughter, said, 'As a young woman searching for my identity in the world, my grandmother was always an example to me. Somehow, she fully embodied both a passionate independence of spirit and intellect and unswerving love and loyalty for her family.'
Mrs. Roberts was the daughter of the late Thomas H. Nicholson and Ruth Benham Nicholson of Norfolk. She was married for 60 years to William L. Roberts, who died in 2000.
She is survived by her three children and their spouses, Jacquelyn Sunderland, Sue and Richard Hill, and Bill and Gale Roberts, all of Williamsburg. Also surviving are her sister and brother-in-law, Betty and Bill Harrison of Lanexa; her brother and sister-in-law, Tom and Geraldine Nicholson of Norfolk; and a beloved niece and her husband, Susan and Darr Barshis of Williamsburg. She is survived by nine grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. The grandchildren and their spouses and partners are William Roberts III of Alexandria, Elizabeth Roberts and Charlene Allen of New York City, Stanley and Corey Roberts of New York City, Larry and Jill Sunderland of Virginia Beach, Melissa Sunderland and Aaron Jones of Richmond, Richard Hill Jr. of Williamsburg, David and Sandy Hill of Seabrook, Texas, Gregory and Maura Hill of Catonsville, Md., and Andrew and Missy Hill of Williamsburg. Two grandchildren, Allen Roberts of New York City and Katie Hill of Williamsburg, preceded her in death.
There will be a celebration of her life at 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 8, at Bruton Parish Episcopal Church, 201 Duke of Gloucester Street, Williamsburg, with committal in the churchyard. The family will receive friends in the parish house following the service.
The family suggests that, in lieu of flowers, friends consider gifts to the Building Fund of This Century Art Gallery, P.O. Box 388, Williamsburg, VA 23187-0388.
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