Roberta Easley

Survived by: Her brother, Jerry McPeters; Daughter, Paula Mettala; Son, Jim Easley; Grandchildren Jay Farin, Elizabeth Cole, Dylan Easley and Meredith Ellis; Great Grandchildren Ollie, James and Cora Cole. Predeceased by: Husband, Lt Col Jon Easley USMC (Ret), daughter Janet Easley Sparks, Granddaughter Virginia Farin. We gather today to celebrate the remarkable life of Roberta Easley, who passed peacefully in her sleep on June 13th. Hers is a beautiful story as she touched our lives as a beloved sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend. She was born in Hobbs, NM, on October 7, 1936, as Roberta Ann McPeters. Growing up, she was a great sister who always looked out for her younger brother, Jerry. She was strong-willed and independent. The stories of her younger years, which she shared quite frankly, showed her determination and self-confidence. As a teen, she had her own ideas about curfew and was known to crawl out of her window at night to extend her evenings. The first time she met her future husband, Jon, she was at an event with her boyfriend and her mother. At the end of the event, she left with Jon and her now ex-boyfriend was driven home by her mother. Her father offered her a red convertible, if she did not attend college. She chose to go to college. At the University of New Mexico, she studied history- a subject she loved all her life. Her freshman year, she and Jon became serious, and the following year she chose to quit college and marry the love of her life. After her husband graduated from college, Jon was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps. Soon afterward, they started their family. As a Marine family they moved many times. They were stationed in numerous places from Boston to Oahu, Hawaii. Roberta made many of the moves without Jon, sometimes driving cross-country with three children by herself as her husband served 2 tours in Vietnam. One of the cities where they were stationed was Monterey, Calif. where she worked as a docent at the Robert Lewis Stephenson House. It was an opportunity for her to engage with people and talk about history- two of the things she loved. Upon her husband's retirement, they bought a plant nursery in Panama City, Florida which Roberta ran for 10 years. She and her nursery were well known and loved in the community. Out and about the town, people would often stop her and want to chat. She was involved with the Master Gardener Program and often volunteered her time to speak to interested groups in the community. She had a love for travel. She and Jon traveled extensively visiting such places as Hong Kong, Russia, Germany, Argentina and their favorite-Antarctica. Upon her husband's death, she moved to a condo overlooking the Panama City Bay. There, she was a part of a community that was comprised of all ages- young couples with children as well as older adults. She was a big part of the condo community sometimes even serving as the bartender for the Fri night Happy Hours. She was a regular in a fun loving, but fiercely competitive group that played cards almost daily. To this day there is still a card hand that is known as the Roberta hand. Roberta was charitable all her life. For years she knitted lap blankets for The Wounded Warriors Project. She was also a volunteer at Sacred Heart Hospital working at the information desk as well as assisting families whose loved ones were having surgery. For her 80th birthday she hosted a dinner for the entire condo complex and upon realizing she had over ordered and much food remained, she immediately asked that we take it all to the homeless shelter. When her mobility became an issue she moved into assisted living at Benton House here in Newnan to be close to Jim and Rita. She quickly became a favorite of the staff and the squeaky wheel for management. Often speaking her mind at the group meetings, management decided to create a VIP position for her. They made her an Ambassador for new residents in hopes that she would have less time to complain about the overgrown rosebushes outside of her window. However she continued to be known endearingly as "The Boss" by the staff. At Benton House she took an interest in the staff and always greeted them with a big "Hello there" and an extended hand as they entered her room. She also enjoyed participating in the social activities. She often called out Bingo, she taught others how to play cards and she excelled at Trivia. She continued her card career at Jim and Rita's and her game continued to be a force to be reckoned with. She added much to family gatherings, although she occasionally did have a knack for speaking her mind in a judgmental manner. When Jim told her sometimes feelings could be hurt- she changed. She no longer was as critical and instead of speaking out, she would say "I'm not going to say anything" and you always knew exactly what she thought. However, she did continue to give "the look" if it became apparent that you didn't know basic presidential history. She was passionate that everyone should know that! There will always only be one Roberta Easley. And if she were here today, she would smile and give her frequent parting words, "Now you behave yourself." In lieu of flowers the family asks instead to donate to the hospicefoundation.org foundation. Condolences can be expressed at www.mckoon.com The Visitation will be Saturday, June 21, 2025 at 3:00pm at McKoon Funeral Home with a Service being the same day at 4:00pm in the Chapel of McKoon Funeral Home. McKoon Funeral Home & Crematory, 770-253-4580

Roberta Easley

October 7, 1936 - June 13, 2025