Joan Kathryn Roby

November 24, 1933 – May 8, 2023

Joan died peacefully on May 8, 2023, at the age of 89 years old. Born as Joan Kathryn Hill on November 24, 1933, in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Joan graduated from Eastern Kentucky University (ECU) with a double major in English and Biology.  She married Robert (Bob) Levi Roby on August 20, 1955.  Joan met Bob at Eastern Kentucky University in 1955; their senior year in college.  Bob was in the Student Union building checking out all the new girls in school that year.  He recalled seeing Joan come in from the girl’s dorm side.  He told his friend, Bob Brown, “That is my girl!”  His friend, Bob, introduced them and they started dating.  Roby, as he was referred to by Joan, left ECU at the end of the school year and went home without saying as much as a goodbye, but knowing that Joan was still his girl. He went home and had his Mother help him buy an engagement ring.  He took the ring, headed for Cincinnati, and asked Joan to marry him.  She accepted and they were married in Joan’s church in Cincinnati.

Joan and Bob had six (6) children; three (3) boys and three (3) girls, 12 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.  Joan was a stickler for giving out birthday cards with money to all!  Joan did most of the work in raising the children while Bob worked his way up the ranks as an Army pilot.  They moved around quite a bit, including Ft. Bragg, NC, Long Beach, CA and Ewa Beach, HI, and Bob was overseas at different times.  All the while, Joan ran the household.

Joan loved taking care of her family, whether it was fixing breakfast each morning for her husband or watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She loved to teach by helping her grandchildren and great-grandchildren with homework, and as a substitute teacher.

She was a devoted Christian doing her Bible study every morning and reading through the Bible every year.  She taught different Sunday School departments, headed up Vacation Bible School, volunteered in the nursery, participated in “Meals on Wheels”, went door-to-door witnessing, and attended bible studies over the years.  She was heavily involved in several Church activities.  Perhaps one of the best activities she participated in for many years was leading a group that prepared the “Friday Night Dinners” at Groveton Baptist Church (GBC).  It was the highlight of the week for GBC.

God was always first in Joan’s life and then came husband, family, and church.  Joan was a GREAT wife, mother, and grandmother!

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, Opal and Mabel Hill, and her oldest son, Robert Levi Roby, Jr (January 3, 2004).  She is survived by her husband, Bob, brothers, James and Bobby, her sister, Nancy, her children Lisa, Sherri, Mark, Debra, and Kristopher, 12 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.

The family has requested in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund.

Donate