Roberta Mitchell Curry

Roberta Mitchell Curry, 94, of Gainesville, passed away Sunday, September 21, 2025, after a brief illness.
Roberta was born on June 22, 1931, in Dayton, Ohio, to Robert and Esther (Young) Mitchell. She graduated from Fairmont High School and went on to earn both bachelor's and master's degrees in Home Economics from The Ohio State University. In 1955, she joined the faculty of the University of Missouri as an assistant professor of textiles and clothing, where she also met her future husband at an event for new faculty. She married Bruce Curry in June of 1956.
After moving to Wooster, Ohio, in 1960, Roberta devoted her time to raising their two children before pursuing an opportunity to help start a new fabric store to capitalize on the knit fabric revolution. She was manager and sewing instructor at Fabrics Unlimited (originally Knits Unlimited) from 1973 to 1987.
Roberta lived a life of service and dedication to her family and community. In Wooster, she was an active member of First Presbyterian Church, serving as Deacon, Elder, and as both President and Treasurer of Presbyterian Women. She was one of the inaugural members of the adult handbell choir formed in 1965, and in 1970, founded and directed the youth handbell choir. She was also a Brownie and Girl Scout Leader, President of the Wooster High School Band Parents, and chaperoned many band trips, including the Symphonic Band's European tour in 1976.
After moving to Gainesville permanently in 1988, she joined First Presbyterian Church and was an active handbell musician there until retiring in 2015 after 50 years of ringing. Roberta was also an engaged member of the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution, serving as Secretary and on various committees. She was also active in Colonial Dames of the XVII Century, also serving that organization as Secretary.
Roberta credited The Village at Gainesville with helping Bruce and her age gracefully and actively. She served as President of Resident Council in 2012-2013 and Past President in 2014, served on the Dining Services, Wellness, Performing Arts and Communications Committees and chaired the Nominating Committee of Resident Council. She was very proud of her three terms of service on the Corporate Advisory Board, representing her fellow residents.
She continued to be active with needle and thread until her death, contributing to the making of more than 10,000 reusable, washable menstrual and incontinence pads distributed locally and around the world by North Florida Sewing Center. During the pandemic, she made hundreds of face masks for family and friends. She always had a counted cross stitch project underway.
Roberta is survived by her husband of 69 years, R. Bruce Curry Sr., daughter Elaine (Allen) Turner of Gainesville, daughter-in-law Janice Curry of Overland Park, KS, grandchildren Mallory Curry, Mitchell Turner, Robert (Jordin) Curry III, Allen Turner Jr., and great-grandson Bo. She was preceded in death by her parents and son Robert Bruce Curry Jr.
A celebration of life will be held Thursday, November 13, at 2:00 p.m. at The Village at Gainesville, where she resided for more than 22 years.
Memorial contributions may be sent to the Santa Fe College Foundation and designated to The Village at Gainesville Associate Scholarship Fund.
Arrangements are being handled by Forest Meadows.