Nancy Galloway Roberts

Nancy Isabelle Galloway Roberts, February 17, 1926-June 7, 2017. Nancy was born in Shelby, North Carolina to Archie Hall Galloway and Ellen Estelle Jarrett Galloway. She was the nicest, sweetest woman on the planet, bar none, a devoted wife and mother, a perfect hostess, she loved caring for others, and she enjoyed birds, flowers, reading, and travel. Her early years were spent in Martinsville, Virginia where her father worked as the Advertising Manager for The Henry Bulletin, now the Martinsville Bulletin. Her only sibling, Archie H. Galloway, Jr. died at three months of age on October 22, 1929 (one week before The Crash) of complications from spinal meningitis. Nancy and her mother, Ellen Jarrett Galloway, moved to Charlotte in 1939, when she was 13-years-old, following the sudden death of Nancy's father. Nancy's mother began working in the Highland Park Mill No. 3 (now the Highland Mill Lofts in NoDa) where Nancy's uncle, Arthur Jarrett, was an administrator. Nancy and her mother were a team of two during her teen years but were well cared for by Mr. and Mrs. Jarrett. Nancy was the consummate Southern Lady who succeeded in making a loving and nurturing home for her husband and four children. She worked hard and took great pride in her family that was shaped by the values she and her surviving husband, Kenneth Lawrence Roberts, exhibited as members of the Greatest Generation. Nancy was introduced to Kenneth during World War II while he was on a weekend leave from Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. They were introduced at a church picnic in 1944 through their respective best friends and that was the beginning of their 73 year romance. They were married in 1946 and celebrated 70 years of marriage on October 12, 2016. Nancy was a 1944 graduate of Central High School (which later became Garinger High School), following which she attended Carolina Business School where she trained to be a secretary. Throughout her life she had occasional part-time jobs but her greatest joy was raising her family and being a part of the Plaza-Midwood Community. Nancy was known for her remarkable cooking skills and her exceptional cake baking talents. She would frequently bake for neighbors and friends and in the 1970's she learned Wilton Cake Decorating techniques that took her craft to the next level. While her family and friends lauded her baking ability, her pound cake entry in the 2006 San Diego County Fair validated her expertise when she won a blue ribbon and took first place for her Sour Cream Pound Cake. Nancy and husband Ken moved to Calabash, NC in 1988 following Ken's retirement from Hobart Corporation. During their 23 years there, Nancy once again reached out and quickly became part of the fabric of the North Myrtle Beach community by making new friends and generously taking care of them with gifts of food and care when needed. In 2012 Nancy's osteoarthritic condition demanded that she receive full-time skilled care and thus she became a resident of the Wilora Healthcare Center, while Ken moved in next door to the Brookdale Charlotte East residence which brought them back to their Charlotte roots. Nancy was a loving, cheerful, friendly, caring, self-less person who had a smile that could literally "light up the room". That light will live on through her family and all who knew her. Nancy is survived by her husband of 70 years, Kenneth Lawrence Roberts, four children, Larry Arthur Roberts (and wife Jean) of Orlando, Florida; Daniel Mack Roberts (and wife Totty) of Charlotte, NC; Diane Roberts Cashion (and husband Charles) of San Diego, CA; and Ralph Anthony Roberts (and wife Linda) of Charlotte. Nancy was a beloved grandmother to five grandchildren: Kevin, Caitlin, Kelly, Chip, and Amanda, and one great-granddaughter, Collins. A celebration of Nancy's life will be held on Saturday, July 15, 11am at Hankins and Whittington Funeral Home on East Boulevard in Charlotte. As Nancy was a consummate bird lover, especially hummingbirds; the family asks that, in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to Wing Haven Garden and Bird Sanctuary, 248 Ridgewood Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28209.