Ruby Altizer Roberts

Ruby Altizer Roberts went to be with the Lord on Monday, May 24, 2004. She was born on April 22, 1907 to Waddie William and Dana Cummings Altizer. She was preceded in death by her husband, Laurence L. Roberts; and her brothers, Ernest, Herman, Eslie (Billy) and Frederick Altizer. Mrs. Roberts' family has lived in the area for more than two hundred years and she is survived by many relatives and friends. Among these are her daughter, Heidi and her husband, Charles E. Altizer of Christiansburg. She was the proud grandmother of four grandsons, Charles Edward II (Chuck) and his wife, Karen and son, Brandon of Christiansburg, Laurence Frederick and his fiancé, Eileen Lozada of Virginia Beach, Stephen Emera and James Henry of Christiansburg. She is also survived by three nieces, Thelma Altizer Body of Roanoke, Linda Altizer Martin of Spring, Texas and Jeanne Altizer Weintraub of Penfield, N.Y.; and two nephews, Philip J. Altizer and Jack V. Altizer both of Roanoke. Mrs. Roberts was named Poet Laureate of the Commonwealth of Virginia in 1950, the first and only woman ever to hold this honor. In March of 1992 she was given the added title of Poet Laureate Emeritus of Virginia. Among the many recognitions she received were: The Bellaman Award for distinguished poetry; citations by the senate of Virginia and by the Khalsa College of Amritsar, India "for distinguished poetry on both sides of the Atlantic." She owned, published and edited The Lyric, a magazine of poetry for more than 25 years. She also received an honorary degree of doctor of humane letters from William and Mary in 1961. She was an honorary life member of the International Sorority Beta Sigma Phi and in 1977 was chosen Woman of the Year in creative arts of Montgomery County. The author of a number of books and magazine articles, her writing was enjoyed by young and old alike. She was especially proud of the children's book she wrote entitled The Story of Buzzy Bee. Mrs. Roberts wrote about Montgomery County 's revolutionary heritage which was incorporated into the Virginia Historical Society publication and The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography. Mrs. Roberts co-wrote a book of genealogy on The Altizer family. It was during this research that she discovered that the first Altizer that came to the United States, Emera V. Altizer, was at Cornwallis' surrender at Yorktown. Mrs. Roberts will well be remembered by the people of Christiansburg as the lady with the bright hat that walked wherever she needed to go whether it was to the bank, post office or Hardee's and in all kinds of weather. If she was not seen, her telephone would begin to ring to see where she was. One day she missed because her front door was frozen shut. She was an integral part of her hometown and her spirit will be with those whose life she touched always. She was active in civic organizations especially in programs for the aged and children. She could be found at St. Paul United Methodist Church most every Sunday. She had the talent to be able to play whatever she heard and she used this talent in Sunday school opening exercises for many years. In 1993, she was selected to represent The Spirit of Virginia by the media. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. May 26th at Horne Funeral Home and all other times at Mrs. Roberts home. The funeral service will be held at the St. Paul United Methodist Church on Thursday May 27th at 11 a.m. with burial in Sunset Cemetery. Rev. Douglas Kanney will lead the service. There are some lines of a poem that Mrs. Roberts would like to share that she learned from her Mother. ". . .count that day lost whose low descending sun views from thy hand no worthy action done" and adding "remember that we are the only bible some people ever read." The Roberts family is being served by Horne Funeral Service, Christiansburg. (382-2612)