Betty Magee Roberts

Betty Magee Roberts passed away on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Chateau Pines Assisted Living in Brandon, MS. Betty was the daughter of the late Norman Carlyle Magee and Gilda Brumfield Magee of Mt. Herman, Louisiana. She graduated from Mt. Herman High School, where she was Valedictorian of her class, and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from LSU.

Two years later, after working as a Welfare Visitor in Plaquemine, Louisiana, and teaching seventh grade at Mt. Herman, Betty headed for the big city of St. Louis, Missouri. For the next three years, she worked as a hostess on the GM & O luxury trains between St. Louis, Chicago, and Mobile.

Passengers included the man she would later marry, Curtis Delgadillo Roberts, who was traveling with his parents on their way home to New Albany, Mississippi, from his medical school graduation from Northwestern University in Chicago.

Betty and Curtis were married in 1953. After three years in the Air Force, they settled in Brandon, Mississippi, where they raised three children and where Curtis practiced medicine until his death in 1989.

Although family was Betty’s highest calling, she also was a talented and capable organizer and leader. She served at various times as editor of the Pearl Press newspaper, manager and director of Riverbend Transportation, Inc., president of the Mississippi Medical Auxiliary, and president of the parents’ organization at St. Andrews’s Episcopal School. Betty brought enthusiasm, excellence, and personal integrity to every activity with which she was involved.

Unfailingly gracious, Betty was above all a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She especially loved her grandchildren and played an active role in their lives. After Curtis died, she continued living in the house they had built and shared, where her happiest hours were spent working in the yard and tending her beloved peafowl.

Betty is survived by her daughter, Susan Leah Roberts of Brandon, MS; sons, John Curtis Roberts (Shannon) of Brevard, NC and Stephen Magee Roberts (Harriet) of Oxford, MS; five grandchildren; two great grandchildren; and sister, Patricia Magee Holland of Denham Springs, LA. She also leaves behind a special friend, J. W. Jennings

Visitation will be 10am – 11am Monday, May 19, 2025, at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Brandon, followed by a celebration of the Holy Eucharist. A family graveside service will be held at Roberts Cemetery near Mt. Herman, LA.

The family would like to give a special acknowledgement to Ruby McGee and Ruth Fairley for their special care given to Mrs. Roberts and a special thanks to all the staff at Chateau Pines Assisted Living for the loving care and attention.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made for the benefit of the Curtis D. Roberts Medicine Endowment, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Office of Development, 2500 N. State Street, Jackson, MS 39216 or St Lukes Episcopal Church, 104 N College St, Brandon, MS 39042.