Roberta Preston
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Roberta Wanda Wooding Preston, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday afternoon February 24, 2022 at Holzer Senior Care, Gallipolis, after a brief illness. Born on March 14, 1928 to Ursula Wooding Thompson in Rendville, Ohio, she was just 18 days short of her 94th birthday. She graduated from Corning High School in 1946.
After living and working in Columbus, Ohio for a short time she returned home and married Wilford Nelson Preston in 1948 where they reared their 3 children. The family was active in church and she was the minister of music, playing the piano and organ in two congregations, for nearly 70 years. She was also the music director for the Providence Baptist Association for many years. While they were small, it was her joy to play for her children, The Prestones, as they sang in local church programs.
In 1961, she was one of the first black women in the United States to become a local postmaster. She retired from that government position in 1993 during the Clinton administration. During her working years, she and her husband attended many postal conventions on the state, national and even international level. The couple also had the privilege to travel extensively, including to Hawaii and Puerto Rico, going to his annual army reunions to enjoy his World War II comrades. After retirement, Wilford and Roberta were involved in bowling leagues a couple times a week and also served in Masonic and Eastern Star lodges.
She was preceded in death by her devoted husband of 49 years, Wilford N. Preston, Sr., her mother Ursula Wooding Thompson, step-father Hastings Thompson, brother Marvin J. Thompson and two great-grandchildren, Tiffany Grant and Braxton Smith.
Left to cherish her sweet memory are her loving children, Sharon K. (Christopher) Anderson, Gallipolis; Wilford N. (Cynthia), Jr. and E. Anthony (Karen) Preston, both of Columbus. Six grandchildren, LaTanya Anderson (Bill) Smith, Point Pleasant, West Virginia; Christopher Anderson, Jr., Toledo; Courtney Preston Howard, Wilford N., III, and Ashley Preston, all of Columbus; and Elise (Toni) Preston of New York, New York; 8 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Marva Joan Thompson, now of Gallipolis, as well as a number of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Final services for Mrs. Preston will be Saturday, March 5th, at Paint Creek Baptist Church, 833 Third Avenue, Gallipolis. Viewing is at 11:00 AM and the service will start at 12 noon. The service will be streamed. Waugh-Halley-Wood Funeral Home, 810 Second Avenue, Gallipolis, is in charge of the arrangements. Interment will be in Rendville, Ohio.
All COVID protocols will be in place with social distancing and masks will be required.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation be made to the Paint Creek Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 1167, Gallipolis, 45631 in Mrs. Preston's name.
An online guest registry is available at www.waugh-halley-wood.com