Barbara Wray Roberts, age 90, passed away peacefully in her home at Atria Southpoint Walk on February 10, 2024, following a brief illness.

Born on April 20, 1933 in Shelby NC to Ione (Danzy) Nolan Wray and Albert Victor (Vick) Wray Jr., Barbara was one of four daughters. She is preceded in death by her parents; sisters Sarah Kathleen Wray and Jean Wray Anderson; and her husband Gary Houston Roberts, Sr.

She is survived by her sister, Sue Wray Mann and husband Roger H. Mann of Corona del Mar, California; her daughter Suzanne Wray Roberts Kozel and husband Mark Kozel of Chapel Hill, NC; her son Gary Houston Roberts, Jr. of Winston-Salem NC; and, a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Barbara graduated from the Women's College of Greensboro (now UNCG) with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. She taught in the Cleveland County School system for several years before devoting the majority of her time to her family in Shelby. In her earlier years she was active in the Shelby Junior Charity League and Cleveland Country Club, and a member of the First Baptist Church of Shelby. She enjoyed her family, her dogs and cats and grand-dogs, and feeding her backyard birds. Barbara and Gary Sr. were avid bluebird enthusiasts, and she maintained a collection of birdfeeders and a bluebird house in the Atria Courtyard, enjoyed by all residents.

The family wishes to thank Kamelia Samadi and her NightingaleCareService especially the loving and compassionate caregivers Nelly, Caren, Sharon, Mercy, Doris, June and Gwen; the Atria staff and Mom's friends there; the physicians and staff of Duke University Hospital; and, the UNC Hospice team for their care of our Mom.

Memorials may be made to the North Carolina Bluebird Society online or 4600 Chandler Grove Court, Raleigh, NC 27612, or Samaritan's Purse online or at PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607.

Online condolences may be made at cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com

Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home & Crematory is compassionately serving the Roberts family.