Mesquite, Nevada resident Bessie Rosetta Roberts, aged 96, passed into the arms of our Lord on August 2, 2024, at St. George Regional Hospital surrounded by loved ones after a brief illness. She was born on November 2, 1927, in Tecumseh, Oklahoma, to Thomas Lee Sullenger and Jesse Agnes (Azlin) Sullenger. She was the loving wife of Alvin Winferd Roberts, Sr., who preceded her in death on August 20, 2011.
Bessie Roberts
Bessie moved to California from Oklahoma in the 1940s. She loved learning and school, attending high school where she enjoyed playing softball. She lived in Salinas, California, until 1991, when she and her husband Al relocated to Sun City West, AZ, where they enjoyed their
retired life. They loved playing golf, bowling, fishing, being active members of the church of Christ, and traveling.
Bessie had a 22-year career with AT&T (Pacific Bell) as a telephone operator and later as a chief operator’s clerk. She was a dedicated wife, mother, homemaker, and bowler extraordinaire. She loved sports, especially bowling, golfing, and bingo. Bessie was known to play Rummikub with other residents at Mesa Valley Assisted Living until late in the evening.
She had many interests, including attending church functions and hosting family and church gatherings. Bessie was a fantastic cook, famous for her baked goods, candies, chicken-fried steak dinners, sweet tea, and much more. She kept her mind active by reading, working on crossword puzzles, word searches, and jigsaw puzzles. She was a lifelong member of the church of Christ and a current member of Community Christian Church in Mesquite, Nevada.
Bessie is survived by her daughter Shannon Roberts-Musch of Fredericksburg, Virginia (James K. Musch), and Patrycya Ely of Salinas, California. She is also survived by 8 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and 11 great-great-grandchildren. Additionally, she is survived by her sister Vera Conner of Salt Lake City, Utah, and her two brothers Jimmy Sullenger of Bakersfield, California, and Levi Sullenger of McCloud, Oklahoma. She was preceded in death by her loving husband Alvin W. Roberts, Sr., daughter Cynthia Y. Thropp (August 7, 2021), her parents, and six of her siblings. She was the oldest daughter of nine children.
The funeral will be held on Saturday, August 10, 2024, at 12:00 PM (MDT) at Serenity Funeral Home of Southern Utah, 1316 S. 400 E. #A5, St. George, Utah 84790. The viewing will be from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM (MDT) on August 10, 2024.
Bessie will be laid to rest in a private graveside ceremony with her beloved husband Alvin W. Roberts, Sr. in Sun City, Arizona at a later date.
Family and friends are invited to share tributes online at www.SerenityStG.com. Arrangements and memorial tree planting under the direction of Serenity Funeral Home of Southern Utah, (435) 986-9100.
