Roberta Rabun

On Saturday, November 7, 2009, God called home one of his faithful servants, Roberta Shepard Rabun. She was at home with her family whose members include daughter, Cheryl Martin of Pauline, grandson, Shane Martin, his wife Amy, and great-grandchildren, Ashlyn and Aidan of Glenn Springs and sister, Nancy Skogman of the home. She was the daughter of the late Hugh C. and Myrtle M. Shepard. Her husband of 56 years, Robert Orion Rabun, died in 2000. She is survived by her other sisters, Delores Stockman and Betty Long, and was preceded in death by their husbands, who were like brothers to her, Leon E. Stockman, Coit C. Long, and Dale N. Skogman. Other survivors include her nieces and their husbands, Camille and Tim Buchanan, Beth and Leslie Charles, Cindy and Dennis Mason, Rose Marie and Jimmy Hunter, all of Spartanburg, and Patsy King Nooney, widow of Jack Nooney, of Jacksonville, FL; nephews, Richard Stockman and Stephen Long; numerous "precious" cousins in Tennessee, Arizona, and California; and caregivers, Marcia Shirley and Judy Knight, who treated Roberta with gentleness, kindness, and love. Born March 31, 1926, in Knoxville, TN, she moved to Spartanburg as a young teenager, joined Hayne Baptist Church (now United Baptist Church), and graduated from Boiling Springs High School, Class of 1944. Roberta had a love for teaching the Word, a heart for missions, and a vision for God's work. Before her confinement with rheumatoid arthritis, she served in her Church as a Sunday School teacher, Woman's Missionary Union president, GA and YWA leader, Vacation Bible School director and choir member. In 1977 she began a program at Valley Falls Terrace Nursing Home where she ministered to the residents and started the first Sunday School Class, which is still in place today. During a trip to Ridgecrest Baptist Assembly in 1993, she accepted God's direction to go to the Boston area on a solo mission trip, which led to the development of the Cambodian ministry in Spartanburg. Roberta's life is a testimony to what anyone can do, through Christ, when willing to listen to and obey His call. In the 1950's, she worked for the late Izzadore Goldblatt at Rey's Jewelers, downtown Spartanburg. In 1961 she became secretary at Jenkins Junior High School. When the school closed, she moved to the District Seven Administration Building and worked for several years as secretary for the late Emerson Coleman, retiring in 1989. The funeral service will be held at 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, November 11, 2009, at United Baptist Church conducted by the Rev. Jack Weaver, pastor at United, and the Rev. John Lynch and the Rev. James L. Johnson, lifelong friends. The eulogy will be presented by her grandson, Shane Martin. Roberta had a flair for hosting parties and suppers in her home. Because of that love of fellowship, fun, and good food, the family, at her request, invites you to join them for supper in the Fellowship Building following the service. Interment will follow on Thursday morning, 11:00 a.m. at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be Larry Bishop, Wayne Chamblee, Jamie Elam, Robert Ellison, the Rev. Sean Fortner, Bob Hinson, Dusty Weeks, and her great-nephews, Blake and Jared Buchanan. Memorials may be made to the Lottie Moon Offering for International Missions, The Cambodian, Hispanic, or Nursing Home Ministries of United Baptist Church, 7319 Valley Falls Road, Spartanburg, S.C. 29303. The family will be at Roberta's home to welcome friends. Floyd's North Church Street Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Roberta Shepard Rabun please visit our Sympathy Store.