Charlotte Ransone Roberts

Charlotte Morris Ransone Roberts, 102, of Buchanan, Va. and previous longtime resident of of New York, NY, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 5, 2015, at Bethel Ridge in Fincastle, Va. Mrs. Roberts was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Lieutenant Colonel Meredith J. Roberts, U.S.A.F. WWI & II, in 1960 and by the companion of her later years, noted jazz composer & musician Gene Roland, in 1982; and by her parents, William A. (Will) Ransone Sr. and Charlotte (Lottie) Morris Ransone; her brothers, Toler E. Ransone, Morris A. ("B") Ransone Sr., William A. ("Willie") Ransone Jr., Thomas R. ("Tom") Ransone, and Willis G. ("Babe") Ransone Sr.; her sisters, Helen L. Ransone, Margaret R. Hall, Mildred R. Stone, Annie W. Ransone, Florine R. Mountcastle, and Mary Bernice ("Teentie") Ransone; and her nephew, William A. ("Billy") Ransone III. Surviving are her sister, Isabelle R. Watts and her sisters-in-law, Thelma G. Ransone and Edna T. Ransone, all of Buchanan. She is also survived by her nephews and nieces, Morris A. (Chic) Ransone Jr., Judith R. Michaelsen, Florine R. Lewis, Kitty Sue Booze, Ralph L. Watts Jr., Debbie M. Lotz, Sonia M. Barnes, Cindy A. Thomas, Beth R. Lipes, Thomas R. Ransone Jr., Rebecca R. Hutchison, Willis R. Watts, Patricia W. Blevins, & Willis G. ("Ranse") Ransone Jr.; and many cherished great-nieces and great-nephews, her devoted nurses and helpers at Bethel Ridge & Amedysis, and many friends. Charlotte was born in the Ransone home on Boyd Street in Buchanan, was a member of Buchanan Baptist Church and graduated from Buchanan High School. She attended National Business College in Roanoke before moving to New York City, where she worked for the same investment counseling company for many years. It was in New York that she met and fell in love with Meredith and the two were married in 1941 after a whirlwind courtship. Following the second World War, both were active with The Military Order of the World Wars and devoted much of their time in service to The Soldiers', Sailors', Marines', Coast Guard & Airmen's Club in New York City. Charlotte continued to volunteer with the Club in the fifty plus years since Meredith's passing, working tirelessly in its many endeavors, taking special interest in the House Committee and the Club's annual Military Ball fundraiser. She still served as an active member of its Board of Directors until the time of her death. Charlotte was also a patron of the arts and it was her interest in music that eventually brought her together with Gene Roland, the second great love of her life. The family will receive friends on Saturday, February 7, 2015, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Botetourt Funeral Home, 14920 Lee Highway, Buchanan. Funeral Services will be held 2 p.m. on Sunday, February 8, 2015, at the Buchanan Baptist Church with the Rev. Mike Woody officiating. Interment will follow in Fairview Cemetery in Buchanan. Arrangements by Botetourt Funeral Home, 540-254-3000. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to: the Soldiers', Sailors', Marines', Coast Guard & Airmen's Club, Inc. (283 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10016-3540; tel. 212-684-4353); Veterans of Foreign Wars (http://www.vfw.org/Contribute/); the Buchanan Rescue Squad (19670 Main Street, Buchanan, VA 24066; tel. 540-254-1331), or the Buchanan Baptist Church (19730 Main Street, Buchanan, VA 24066; tel. 540-254-2253).