Hilda Virginia Roberts

Hilda Peachey Roberts, 88, died peacefully on Wednesday, October 29. Hilda was born on March 28, 1937, in Lewistown, PA, to Mary Etta and Jacob Evan Peachey. After graduating from Lewistown High, Hilda began her career at the FBI in Washington, D.C., often joking that she'd achieved her stated lifetime career goal three weeks after high school.

In DC, she fell in love with Jesse Steven Tollison, Jr. The two were married on October 6, 1956, and raised four children, Linda Susan, Daniel Steven, Jon Eric, and Michael Scott. Career advancements led the family to relocate, moving from Maryland to South Carolina, Virginia, Covington, La., and finally settling in Anderson, SC. Hilda worked as an office manager throughout her career, but her favorites were the Tulane Primate Research Center in Covington, LA, and the Office of the Dean of Engineering at Clemson University.

Hilda married the love of her life, Dr. James A. Roberts, on November 29, 1986. They were great together and lived happily in Covington, LA, until Jim's retirement in 1999 prompted their move to Hendersonville, NC. Hilda was a devoted member of First Baptist Church in Hendersonville and also assumed leadership roles in Al-Anon.

After Jim died in 2016, Hilda moved to Carolina Village Retirement Community, where she loved her exercise groups, worked in the library, enjoyed her book club, and church activities. Many afternoons found her at Bent Tree Winery, savoring a glass of red wine with a good book. Hilda was a caring soul, whether it was for her immediate family, her brother Jake, fellow church members, Al-Anon friends, or casual acquaintances. She kept up with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren! She was a consistent visitor to her sick friends and acquaintances in the Medical Center at Carolina Village. "Hot Rod Hilda" loved driving her car, especially on the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway or to Charleston. She had a quirky sense of humor, a passionate personality, some say stubborn, and a playful habit of ruining a good photo.

Hilda is survived by her daughter, Linda Smith (George), and her sons, Dan, Jon (Tonja), Michael (Jennifer), and her stepchildren, Mary Wargo and Tom Roberts (Debbie), and her brothers, Jon Peachey (Lynn) and Jake Peachey. She was predeceased by her stepdaughter, Jenny Walsh. "Grammy" or "Mermaid" is also survived by her beloved grandchildren Courtney Roberts (Jim), Mary Frances Smith, Logan Bolick (Sarah), Jordan Tollison, Evan Tollison (Haylee), Lassiter Tollison (Ali Gray), Elizabeth Frankfort (Nick), Lily Kate Tollison, Jason Walsh (Meghan), Sarah Walsh, Kellie Varga(Klaus), Christopher Johnedis(Miranda), Oliver Roberts, and William Roberts and also Grammy's great grandchildren Sophia, Mia, Arlo, Elrik, James, Carter, and Smith.

Hilda's family would like to thank the dedicated nurses and doctors at The Carolina Village Medical Center, especially Debbie Gary, for their tender care of Hilda. We also thank Dr. Martha Todd, who is a compassionate and gifted physician. Finally, our sincere appreciation goes to the professionals and volunteers at Hospice Four Seasons, who significantly improved Hilda's quality of life in her final months.

In lieu of flowers, Hilda's family requests that donations be made to one of her favorite charities: 1) Hospice Four Seasons Compassion for Life: Four Seasons;571 South Allen Road; Flat Rock, NC 28731 2) First Baptist Hendersonville; 312 5th Ave W, Hendersonville, NC 28239 3) Al-Anon Family Groups; 4) Dr. James A. Roberts Visiting Lectureship at Tulane University Department of Urology.

A graveside service led by Dave Marshall will be at 2 p.m. on Sunday, November 2, at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hendersonville, North Carolina.