Imogene Roberts

A visitation and time of remembrance for Imogene “Timer” Roberts will be held from 6:00 – 7:00 pm Thursday, December 3, 2015, in the Chapel of Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home in Gainesville.

Imogene “Timer” Roberts, 94, passed away Thursday, November 19, 2015, in Gainesville.

Timer was born in Montague, TX on June 1, 1921, to John Lester and May Elizabeth (Hendricks) Phillips. She grew up in Saint Jo, TX, and while attending school, earned the nickname “Timer”. Because of the striped stockings she wore, all her boy cousins said she looked like an “old timer”. It was shortened to Timer, and she was known to many by that name. When Timer and her girlfriends were adventurous teens, Highway 82 was being constructed. For fun, they would ride the water trucks with the contractors, and found it daring to lie in the road bed while they watched the work being done. When it came time to obtain her driver’s license, Timer took her driver’s test on her bicycle. She graduated 11th grade from Saint Jo High School in 1938.

She married Bill Roberts on December 21, 1941, in Marietta, OK. Bill was drafted into the Army and they moved to Vallejo, CA, where he was stationed. It was there they welcomed a daughter, Jeannie, in 1942. When Bill was sent overseas, Timer and Jeannie moved back to Saint Jo, and lived with her mother behind the “big house”. Bill returned and the three moved to Gainesville in 1950, where they made their home. She worked in various retail positions, including Pauline’s on the square in Gainesville, and most notably, Wal-Mart at its original location. It was there Timer had the opportunity to meet and be photographed with founder Sam Walton.

Timer enjoyed life. She liked to play bingo, dabble occasionally with the “scratch-offs”, was a loyal fan of her baseball “boys”, the Texas Rangers, and an avid solver of Word Search puzzles. A special treat for her was a good, hot hamburger and a Diet Coke; and she loved her Mr. Goodbar. She was very fond of the Northern Cardinal, as her favorite color was red. Timer had a generous spirit and was a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, “Moms”, and “Great Moms”. She was so proud of her family and loved spending time with them. She made friends easily, was quick to smile and always eager to share a laugh or story from the past.

Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law Jeannie & Ronnie Autry of Gainesville; grandchildren Daubie Autry and wife Nanette of Whitesboro, Pamela Doyle of Arlington; Corie Autry and wife Jan of Gainesville; great-grandchildren Monica Autry of Tennessee, Jessica and Jecca Autry of Whitesboro, Darcy Doyle of Arlington, and Matthew Autry of Gainesville.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Mary Williams, husband, and grandson-in-law Jim Doyle.

The family would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to Timer’s special family at Gainesville Health and Rehabilitation for their compassionate love and tender care during her stay. The family would also like to thank Ardent Hospice for their kind support and assistance.