Barbara Roll

Barbara Jean (Chapman) Roll returned to the arms of her Lord on Sunday, May 16, 2021, in Alpharetta, GA, after a long illness. She radiated a warm light to her corner of the world and was loved by many.

Barbara is predeceased by her parents, Reba (Adair Chapman) Roll and Willis Chapman, and her husband of 54 years, Donald John Roll. Surviving Barbara are her brother, James Chapman (Stacey Chapman), daughters Kimberly (Roll) Ingram (Lonny Ingram) and Krista (Roll) Conrick, grandchildren Emma (Conrick) Eckard (Alexander Eckard) and Aidan Conrick, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Born on June 19, 1941, and originally from Tyler, TX, Barbara studied at Baylor University where she met and married a Yankee Air Force officer. Barbara and Don then moved north and spent most of their adult lives in upstate NY, raising their daughters, participating in their church, and enjoying the company of family and friends. They were proud of the country dream home they built in Galway, NY, and were close to all their neighbors. For many years out on “The Hill”, they hosted dinners, picnics, Easter sunrise services, sledding parties, youth group sleepovers, and Bible studies.

Barbara was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Ballston Spa. Over the years, she served as youth group leader, Baby Box attendant, Sunday School superintendent, church dinner hostess, and food pantry worker. She often worked behind-the-scenes as didn’t like to draw attention to herself. Her favorite thing to do was to have people over and cook for them. Church members claim that there wasn’t a person in the church whom Barbara hadn’t hosted. She noticed people who were lonely or overlooked and sought to include them. Her cooking was fabulous, and Barbara’s recipes still circulate through many kitchens.

Barbara was an energetic and hardworking woman. She spent many years as estimator/manager at Victory Packaging in Schuylerville, NY, and would still come home and cook big dinners. She drove her daughters to rehearsals and practices and attended all their games and performances. She happily joined in on the traditions of Don’s large family clan, and she spent many years caring for her aging mother. In the last years of her life, Barbara moved to be near her daughter Kimberly in the Atlanta area. As she struggled with her illness, she received loving care from Kimberly and her husband Lonny.

Barbara was a sweet and kind soul who never had a bad word to say about anybody. She spent years patiently laughing at her husband’s goofball antics. She was always helpful and encouraging. She made the world a better place. She will be missed.

Visitation for Barbara is on May 20 at 10:30 AM, service at 11:30 AM, at the Winkenhofer Pine Ridge Funeral Home, Kennesaw, GA. She will be laid to rest next to her husband at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, GA, on May 21 at 10:00 AM.