Roberta Chamberlain Billie, age 98, a resident of Spanish Fort, Ala., passed away Saturday, July 18, 2015.
She was born in Chicago on Feb. 24, 1917 and grew up in Oklahoma and Texas. She graduated from high school in Tulsa, Okla. in 1933.
Roberta developed an early interest in dancing while she was visiting family in Chicago at the age of 4. After graduating from high school, she began teaching dancing in Longview, Texas. When her family moved to Fairhope, she continued her dance classes in Baldwin County. She opened the Roberta Dance Studio, which became a major part of Fairhope for nearly 25 years.
In 1963, the studio was sold and Roberta went to Auburn University where she received a bachelor’s degree in education. She later received her master’s degree from South Alabama.
Her teaching included two years as a lay missionary in Panama and also several years in public and private schools in the U.S.
Roberta was a member of St. James Episcopal Church, Thomas Hospital Auxiliary, Fairhope Yacht Club, the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Christmas Nights and Nighties.
Roberta was preceded in death by her beloved husbands, Worth S. McCue (1939-1943), Samuel A. Sandt (1970-1974), Chester E. Billie Sr. (1977-1998); and her stepson, Chester E. (Susan) Billie Jr.
She is survived by her son, Worth R. (Joan) McCue; daughter, Carol Ann (Jim) Gray; stepdaughter, Becky Billie Bryars; grandchildren, Russell Gray, Michael McCue, Mark McCue and Katherine Hanrahan; step-grandchildren, Rebecca Lancaster, Rachael Mitchell, Daniel Chatwood and Carla Billie; and 14 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Monday, July 27, 2015, at 10 a.m., at St. James Episcopal Church.
Interment will follow in Colony Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the church following the graveside service.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to St. James Episcopal Church, Westminster Village Foundation, or Child Fund International.
Arrangements by Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Homes & Crematory Inc., 19698 Greeno Road, Fairhope, AL 36532, 251-990-7775, www.wolfefuneralhomes.com.
