Margery ROBERTS

1930 - 2016

ROBERTS, Margery Margery Green Roberts, age 86 of Atlanta, passed away on October 25, 2016, following a brief struggle with lymphoma. Margery was born on September 1, 1930 in Dallas, Georgia to the late Wendell O. and Jessie Mae Green, and was preceded in death by her husband, Clifford L. Roberts, Sr. and her brother, Ted L. Green. Margery grew up in Dallas, Georgia and graduated from Dallas High School as valedictorian at age 16. In 1949, she graduated from West Georgia College, which was a junior college at that time. In 1951, on a blind date for Georgia Tech's homecoming, she met Clifford and they would go on to marry in 1952. Margery and Clifford lived in Atlanta where their two sons were born in 1954 and 1956. The family relocated to Athens, Georgia in 1962 where Margery, a stay-at-home mom, resumed her college education and earned a Bachelor of Science in Education degree from the University of Georgia in 1965. Margery, Clifford, and their two sons welcomed the arrival of their daughter (and sister) in 1967. Following the family's return to Atlanta later in 1967, Margery continued her preparation for becoming a school teacher, her lifelong ambition, and earned a Master of Arts degree specializing in education from Oglethorpe University. Due to a chronic heart condition, Clifford became disabled and had to retire from his employment with Southern Bell before passing away in 1973. Out of necessity to support the family, Margery started her teaching career with the DeKalb County School District in Atlanta in 1971 at age 41, while raising three children. She concluded her teaching career at Sagamore Hills Elementary School in DeKalb County (Atlanta) where she retired after 26 years of teaching in 1996. In a personal bio written for her 45th high school reunion, Margery declared that one of the highlights of her life was seeing all three of her children receive degrees from Georgia Tech. Collectively, including her late husband Clifford, the family earned six degrees from Georgia Tech. In spite of her degree from the University of Georgia (the arch rival), Margery remained an avid Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket fan when it came to college athletics, in keeping with the family's loyalty. Margery was a long-time member of Delta Kappa Gamma, an international honor society that promotes professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education. She was also a member of Clairmont Presbyterian Church for almost 50 years, where she was active in the Presbyterian Women Group and "The Clairmont Clothes Closet", a ministry for the collection of clothing to help those in need. Family and friends were Margery's passion and delight. She especially enjoyed hosting birthday and holiday gatherings at the Roberts family home, where she lived independently until shortly before her death. She also enjoyed reading novels and biographies, gardening, going to church, watching TV, and just being retired. One of her favorite activities in her last three years was driving two of her granddaughters to and from middle school and high school several times a week. She will be remembered by her family, friends, and hundreds of former students as a devoted and caring wife, mother, grandmother, and teacher. Survivors include her sister and brother-in-law, Sylvia and Joe Strickland of Dallas, Georgia; her two sons and daughters-in-law, Clifford Jr. ("Robby") and Janet Roberts of Lilburn, Georgia, and Alan and Cindy Roberts of Atlanta; her daughter and son-in-law, Alison and Rusty Britt, of Jefferson, Georgia; and eight grandchildren: Katherine, Matthew, Kelly and Amy Roberts and Maggie, Charlie, Matt, and Cliff Britt. The family will receive visitors from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on November 3, 2016 at Floral Hills Funeral Home and Cremation Services, located at 3150 Lawrenceville Highway in Tucker, Georgia. A memorial service will be held on November 4, 2016 at 11:00 AM at Clairmont Presbyterian Church, 1994 Clairmont Road in Decatur, Georgia. A private burial will be held at a later date. In memory of Margery, contributions can be made to the scholarship fund of Delta Kappa Gamma's Atlanta Chapter. Checks should be made payable to "Delta Kappa Gamma" with "Scholarship Fund - Margery Roberts" noted on the memo line of the check. Checks should be mailed to: Melinda Morin, 2688 Waverly Hills Drive, Lawrenceville, Georgia 30044.