Roberta Williams Winter passed gently from this life on March 29,2023 at the age of 93, in her home on Lake Santa Fe, Melrose, Florida, surrounded by loved ones. A celebration of her life and love will be held at Trinity Baptist Church of Keystone Heights, Florida, on Tuesday, April 4, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. She will be laid to rest in a family graveside service at Forest Meadows Cemetery in Gainesville, next to her beloved husband of 70 years, James G. Winter. Roberta is also preceded in death by her parents, Lloyd L. and Mildred K. Williams and brother, Lloyd Williams. She is survived by her children Glenn Winter (Vicki), Stephanie Gordon, Teresa Pugh (Keith), brother Earl Williams (Betty), sister-in-law Jeannette Williams, ten grandchildren, twenty-eight great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews who all adored her.
Roberta grew up in Jacksonville, Florida, graduating from Lee High School, where she was a cheerleader and was voted “Most Athletic” in her senior class. She went on to study at Florida State University and then graduated from the School of Nursing at Duke University as a Registered Nurse. She represented the Nursing School in the 1950 Duke University Beauty Queen’s Court. Roberta loved working as a surgical nurse until she put her career on pause to raise her three children. She later returned to nursing for several years with the American Red Cross. During her long and happy marriage, she moved with her husband, Jim, around the state of Florida, from Gainesville to Ocala to Jacksonville to Merritt Island, and then to Huntsville, Alabama. They retired to their long-time family vacation home on Lake Santa Fe. Roberta and Jim enjoyed playing tennis and golf and traveling together. Their love and dedication to God, each other, their family and friends was an inspiration to all who knew them. Only eternity will make clear the impact that Roberta Winter had on this world. In her quiet and merciful way, she left the fragrance of Christ in every place and on every life she touched.
“Her children rise up and call her blessed, her husband praises her, saying, ‘Many daughters have done nobly, but you excel them all.’ Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her the product of her hands and let her works praise her at the gates.” (Proverbs 31:28-30)
Mrs. Winter’s family would like to thank Trinity Baptist Church, Melrose Senior Healthcare Center, and Haven Hospice for their loving care and support.
