Gracie Corley Roberts

October 25, 1933 - February 4, 2019

Gracie Leona Corley Roberts of Roberts Landing, Sopchoppy, FL, passed away on Monday, February 4, 2019 at home with her children by her side. She valued others and felt blessed to have family and friends that she loved. She was born to Joe and Bashiba Corley at the family home in Curtis Mill, Sopchoppy on October 25, 1933. She attended Sopchoppy High School 1st through 12th grade and graduated as Salutatorian in May of 1952. During her 10th grade year she caught the eye of an 11th grader, Franklin Randolph Roberts, who later became her husband. They were married 67 years until he passed away in 2018. Gracie was a devoted Christian woman involved in her church as evidenced by her attendance in all services until her health prohibited it in recent months. Through the years, she served in many capacities – as Sunday School Teacher, Women in God’s Service (WinGs), Nursery Worker, Hospitality Committee, and other jobs as needed at the church. She and Franklin served the church together helping to maintain the church building from cleaning to repairing the air conditioners, changing filters, plumbing, cabinetry, and other odd jobs. In the early years of her life, she worked in Tallahassee at West Florida Wholesale as bookkeeper/secretary with a break in service during the time Franklin served in the Army. They moved to El Paso, TX, Petersburg, VA, and Augusta, GA. Then she worked in the Wakulla County Clerk’s Office followed by many years serving Sopchoppy Elementary as a paraprofessional. When Franklin expanded his business and started Blackwater Industries, she was the bookkeeper/secretary for the business. She and Franklin retired on Jan. 1, 1994. During their retirement years, they enjoyed gardening, working on their property, assisting others with projects, and some fishing. Learning new things and helping others were important to her. She was a perfectionist with sewing and made all clothing for herself and her daughters during most of their lives including their wedding dresses. Cooking and baking were specialties – big meals for family and friends to baking and decorating wedding cakes to homemade bread shared with many. Art through oil painting and quilting were among her favorite activities. Community service included years as 4-H Leader, member of the Wakulla County Athletic Boosters, member of the Sopchoppy Homemakers, and American Legion Auxiliary charter member. Survivors include her children – Sharon Kemp and Theodore “Teddy” Roberts (Becky) of Sopchoppy, and Darlene Surber (Gene) of Headland, AL; brother Donovan Corley of Ocala; sisters Audrey Golden (Alton) of Crawfordville, LaVada Haldeman (Harry) of Jacksonville; five grandchildren; one great grandchild; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was predeceased by her parents, Joe and Bashiba Corley; brothers George Corley and Dan Corley; sisters Ilene Barden and Erma Daniels; sister-in-law Karen Corley; son-in-law Bernie Kemp. Visitation 6-8:00 PM Friday, February 8, 2019; Funeral Service 11:00 AM, Saturday, February 9, 2019 - both at Sopchoppy Southern Baptist Church located at 117 Curtis Mill Road, Sopchoppy, FL 32358. Interment will follow the funeral at Vause Branch Cemetery located 10 miles west of Sopchoppy on the Smith Creek Highway. Memorial donations may be made to Sopchoppy Southern Baptist Church (Bus Fund), PO Box 128, Sopchoppy, FL 32358. Arrangements are under the care of Skip Young with Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services (850-926-5919 or Familyfhc.com).