Areatha Roby

Areatha J. Roby, 88, formerly of Decatur, died Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at home, surrounded by family. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, March 12 at Resurrection Life Church, 1085 W. McKinley Ave, Decatur, IL. Visitation will begin at 10 AM at the church. Burial will be at Fairlawn Cemetery. She was born Areatha Jane Probst, Sept. 15, 1932, the daughter of Edward and Gladys Probst. She graduated from Stephen Decatur High School and wed her high school sweetheart, Dean Roby, in Decatur in 1950. They were married for nearly fifty years and had five children. Areatha will be loved and remembered always for her faith and character. She loved and cared deeply for family and friends. Always generous, she gave encouragement and reassurance with an open heart. Areatha’s words were kind and reflected her deep and genuine faith in Jesus Christ. She is remembered for her smile that lit up a room, laughter that came easily and often, and her quiet and timeless grace. Areatha lived and worked in Tulsa, OK and Minneapolis, MN before retiring to The Woodlands, Texas in 2012. Surviving are her children, Cynthia (Bruce) Roselle of Anoka, MN; Cretia (Warren) Dillard of The Woodlands, TX; Ed (Sue) Roby of Harrisburg, PA; Douglas (Kelly) Roby of Conroe, TX; Greg Roby of San Antonio, TX; grandchildren, Ben (Erin)Roselle, Kate Roselle, Paul (Megan) Roby, Sarah (Sebastian) Schrank, Isaac Roby, Solomon Roby, Landon Roby, and Luke Roby; great grandchildren, Addison, Leah, Max, Finley Joy, and Sawyer Hope. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dean; sister, Jackie; and her parents.