Mary Tait Roberts

Mary Tait Roberts, 92, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 16, 2020. She was born on February 14, 1928 in Brunswick, Ga. She was preceded in death by her parents Columbus Downing Tait, Sr. and Mary Lucretia Jacobs Tait, and her beloved siblings Dr. C. Downing Tait, Jr., Martha Tait Terzian, James S. Tait, and Jack E. Tait.
Mary is survived by her husband of nearly 70 years Aaron Anderson Roberts, Jr. and their children Downy Roberts-Gabay (Barry) of Richmond, Suzy Leger (Mike) of Powhatan, Jim Roberts (Kathleen) of Concord, NC, Cami Graham (David) of Richmond, and Paul Roberts (Amy) of Powhatan. She is also survived by her brother Robert A. Tait of Waynesboro. Her eleven grandchildren also survive her: Barry Gabay (Jennifer), Robert Gabay, Alan Duvall, Chris Duvall (Nina), Kevin Duvall, Alex Roberts, Sam Roberts (Ashley), Mary Forrest Gill (Luke), Jack Graham, Eli Roberts, and Ian Roberts. Her great-grandchildren, Mason and Mia Duvall, Lilly Maher-Roberts, and Chip and Ginny Gill also survive her, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Mary spent much of her life in Chester, Virginia, where she made many lifelong friends. She graduated from Thomas Dale High School in 1945, and studied art and fashion design at RPI (now VCU) for a year. Though she was too humble to admit this, her academic gifts were matched by her creative talents. Before she married, she worked at Virginia State Police, handling payroll and tax duties. While raising her children, she worked at the Bank of Virginia, rising to the position of Trust Officer by the time she retired in 1986.
Throughout her life, she designed and created fashions, from everyday-wear to wedding dresses, for family members and acquaintances. With no pretense, she created a household that was filled with art, crafts, music, reading, games, humor, imagination, and warmth. Mary’s devotion to her family was evident every day of her life, and she loved her family unconditionally. And her family and friends were devoted to her.
The family would like to express our deepest appreciation to the loving care provided by Donna and Jiggs Gordon, Cynthia Tinsley, Lynette Cook, Karen Lewis, and Heartland Hospice nurses, including Becky Coffman, Wanda Coleman, Shelby Morris, and Heather Cordova.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 20, at 2 p.m. at Bennett & Barden Funeral Home, Route 60, Powhatan. The family will receive friends at 1 p.m. before the service.
In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to the Powhatan Food Pantry, 2500 Batterson Rd., Powhatan, VA 23139.