Obituaries

Aillene Roberson

 

Aillene Roberson, more commonly known as Mrs. Jack Roberson, passed from this life into the waiting arms of her Savior, Jesus Christ, on Sunday, October 1, 2017, in Longview, TX.
 
Born Gladys Aillene Samford on February 10, 1927, in Paxton, Shelby County, Texas, she was the daughter of Rogers Ben and Eula Cammack Samford. She graduated from Tenaha High School in 1944, and then finished her freshman year of college at SFA in May of 1945.  Aillene married Jack Norris Roberson on July 8, 1945, in Tenaha and they began a 57 year journey that would produce 4 sons, 8 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren. 
 
Preceding her in death was her husband, Coach Jack Roberson, her parents, one brother, Rogers Burke Samford, one daughter-in-law, Patti Roberson,  her in-laws, Mr. and Mrs. HG Roberson,  brother-in –law, Chuck Roberson, and sister-in-law Mildred Roberson.  
 
Surviving Aillene are brother, Thomas Fred Samford and wife JoAnn of Longview; brother-in-law, Charles and wife Van of Clear Lake City; sons, Steve Roberson and wife Jerrilyne of Longview,  Ken Roberson of Stamford, Ric Roberson and wife Sue Ann of Coppell, and Ron Roberson and wife Susie of Spring; grandchildren, Mark Roberson and wife Stephanie J. of Carthage, Ben Roberson and wife Kristi of Longview, Stephanie Cabra and husband Juan of Kingwood, Sydney White and husband of Jason of Abilene, Amanda Powell and husband Ben of Austin, Caroline Roberson of Denton, Rhett Roberson of Houston, and Abby Roberson of Houston; and great grandchildren, Emily Roberson of Nacogdoches, Hannah Roberson of Carthage, Caleb Roberson of Longview, Wesley and Morgan Cabra of Kingwood, and Connor White of Abilene. Aillene is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.
 
Jack and Aillene moved from Tenaha to Carthage in 1951, as Jack took a coaching and teaching position at Carthage High School. Aillene learned to love sports as she was the only female in a house full of boys. She was an excellent homemaker, wife, and mother. She was a selfless person always wanting to help someone else.
 
After taking an 18 year time out to raise 4 boys, Aillene returned to college in 1963, completed her sophomore year at Panola College, and then graduated with a BA from SFA in 1965, 20 years after she had begun college.  She majored in Homemaking with a minor in Art, and said that with her experience raising 4 boys, she could have taught some of the college courses she took. She was skilled as a seamstress, and as a chef deluxe, at least in the eyes of those she was dressing and feeding on a daily basis. 
 
Aillene taught Home Economics at Carthage High School for 20 years and enjoyed every minute of it. She loved her students and said she couldn’t believe she was getting paid to do something she loved so much. Jack and Aillene were excellent money managers to provide for their family and put 4 boys through college without even one student loan. Of course, the boys were taught to work, were expected to work, and were led by example. Jack taught his boys that work was honorable and that laziness was a sin.
 
Aillene was a very positive person and always exhibited a positive attitude. When cancer came into her life in 1971, she faced it head on and by God’s grace, she fought and defeated it, being declared cancer free in 1976. She was a survivor, but she had to live with the scars left from the battle for the rest of her life. She never complained and was an inspiration to all who knew her.
She loved her family and was especially proud of her “daughters”. Since she had no girls of her own, she really embraced her sons’ wives as her own daughters. She loved them so! And when the grandchildren came along, they were the cutest and smartest ever, at least according to “Grandmother”. The only kids that could compare with her grandchildren were her great grandchildren.
 
She was a strong Christian lady who introduced all her children and many of her students and friends to Jesus Christ. She was a member of Central Baptist Church from 1951, until her death in 2017.  She taught several ladies Sunday school classes and was a proud member of the Silver Tones Choir and the Silver Strummers. 
 
Aillene Roberson loved people and they loved her back. She was always there lending a helping hand or providing a meal for someone in need. When Hurricane Katrina destroyed New Orleans, she took not 1, but 2 families into her home for over a month. She had a big heart.
Special thanks to the staff at Hawkins Creek Assisted Living and Memory Care in Longview for their special care these past 10 years. Also, we thank Heart’s Way Hospice for their special care these last 8 months.
 
Heaven must be just a little sweeter place now that Aillene is there, celebrating her homecoming reunion with all her loved ones that have gone home before her. We love you, Mother, and will look forward to seeing you whole again in heaven! 
 
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2017, at Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in Ramah Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home.
 
Memorials may be made in Aillene’s memory to Heart’s Way Hospice, 4351 McCann Rd., Longview, TX 75605 or Central Baptist Church, 220 W. Sabine, Carthage, TX 75633.
A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.

 

 

Roughriders Sports

Family Features

Loading Family Features Content Widget
Loading Family Features Article