Roberta Whitten, 82

Born to Robert W. and Elizabeth W. Fullerton on Jan. 29, 1944, at Stuttgart, Arkansas Army Airfield, at a cost of $11 and a bottle of scotch whiskey, Roberta Fullerton Whitten, 82, of Germantown, Tennessee, formerly of Whitefish, passed away peacefully after a long battle with several illnesses.

Her parents and two younger brothers, Robert Fullerton Jr. and Bradford Fullerton, preceded her in death. She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Ben F. Whitten Jr., a daughter, Susan Whitten Graber (Blair), three grandsons, Anthony Snodgrass (Brittany), Nathan Snodgrass and David Graber, and several great-grandchildren and cousins.

Roberta was a loyal and loving wife, mother, and a meticulous homemaker. Outside of the home she was active as a volunteer office worker at St. Mary’s Episcopal School, a board member (two years as president) of The Home for the Incurables (now The King’s Daughters and Sons Home), a volunteer for several years at the Newborn Center at The Med, a foster mother for Judge Turner and the Shelby County Juvenile Court, and a kitchen and communion service volunteer at Farmington Presbyterian Church.

She is remembered by several of her daughter’s friends as their unofficial mom, hosting almost-daily after-school gatherings at the Whitten home. She was at one time a member of the Memphis Cotton Carnival Grand Krewe of Osiris and was an avid player of bridge. Over the years, she was a member of The Racquet Club, Chickasaw Country Club, and Ridgeway Country Club, where she enjoyed hosting bridge gatherings.

In support of her husband’s career, she also briefly lived in Decatur, Alabama, Tupelo, Mississippi, and Sikeston, Missouri. Upon his retirement, they lived in Whitefish and Sarasota, Florida, before returning to Germantown.

The family extends its appreciation and thanks to Riveroaks Reformed Presbyterian Church’s retired Pastor William Spink, Senior Helpers caretakers, Crossroads Hospice, Methodist Hospice, the employees at Allen Morgan Health Center, and all of those who showed such loving concern and care for Roberta during the years preceding her death, especially her two best friends, Virginia Steppach and the late Judith Denman.

Funeral arrangements are pending. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, gifts in her memory be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Riveroaks Reformed Presbyterian Church, St. Mary’s Episcopal School, or a charity of the donor’s choice.