Phyllis Marie Roberson Kimel

Phyllis Marie Roberson Kimel, 78, of Burlington, peacefully passed away the morning of November 27, in her own home. Born December 7, 1942 in Greensboro to Philip and Sallie Roberson, she was the youngest of seven children, born to a humble home filled with an abundance of love and laughter.

A 1961 graduate of Greensboro High School, she worked for Myers Department Store, Blue Bell, the Wake Forest men’s basketball office, and Hinshaw’s Tax Service before retiring from Piedmont Airlines/USAir after 19 years in the reservations department. She worked with and easily made lifelong friends everywhere she went. A testament to her character, she even liked Billy Packer.

In 1963 on a trip to Myrtle Beach with her niece Roni, both ladies met their future husbands. Marie married Russ in 1965, and enjoyed 27 great years of matrimony, travel, and most of all, ballgames. She was a devoted wife, and persevered after Russ’ premature death in 1992. Alas, she kept her vow to him another 29 years after his passing.

The birth of her first grandchild in 2000 put a sparkle back into her beautiful green eyes, and as always, family took precedence over everything else in her life. She was a fantastic sister, mother, aunt, and especially grandma. Her family and friends valued both her quick wit and wise counsel. She was loyal, smart, funny, and discrete. Also, her grandchildren learned quickly that she didn’t say the word “no” often.

An unforgettable lady, she was preceded in death by her parents, husband Russ, brothers JL and Jack, and sisters Faye and Delores. She is survived by sisters Ruth and Martha, son Jack and his wife Kerstin, grandchildren Caroline, Mac, and Claire, and countless other heartbroken relatives and friends. She was a blessing to all who knew her, and by God she was blessed. She also really liked ice cream.

A visitation will be held from 6-8pm on December 3 at Voglers and Sons in Clemmons, and a memorial service will be held on December 4 at 11:00 am at Pine Grove United Methodist Church on Jonestown Road.

In lieu of flowers, honorariums should be made to AuthoraCare Collective (Hospice), 2500 Summit Avenue, Greensboro, North Carolina, 27405 or to the Russ and Marie Kimel Memorial Scholarship, Western Carolina University, Ramsey Center, Cullowhee NC 28723