On Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023, Helen Roberta Brothers, loving mother, grandmother and friend, passed away at age 86. She was born to James and Helen Evans on Oct. 24, 1936, in Hartford, Connecticut. Six months and one bitter winter later, the family gained their senses, packed their bags and moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where Roberta was raised and lived until 2003, when she moved to Alabama.

Roberta loved life, the Lord and being “Nana.” She loved fashion, ballet, the Atlanta Braves, the Auburn Tigers, gardening and a good mani/pedi. She was an entrepreneur at heart, starting several artisanal businesses like Miss Roberta’s School of Dance and DK’s Desserts. She taught tap, ballet and jazz to Buckhead-area children, instilling a love of dance and the arts through meticulously choreographed recitals with historically depicted costumes. She always went above and beyond, pulling out all the stops, especially with her most tasty adventure. She started a bakery with her daughter Dena and a single brownie recipe. They ended up in a 10,000-square-foot commercial commissary where dozens of homemade desserts were baked with love and sold to restaurants, caterers and chocolate lovers.

Roberta was best known for her contagious enthusiasm and charismatic personality. You never knew what was coming next, but it was sure to be a fabulously wild ride. She was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne Brothers. She is survived by her daughters, Lynn (Wade) Alexander and Dena Hope Little; her son, Wade McKinney; her grandchildren, Kristen (Mike) Pain, Wade Alexander, Elizabeth (Kevin) Combs, Maggie Little, Emma Little, Ashley McKinney and Cassidy McKinney; her great-grandchildren Mickey Pain, Alex Pain, Natalie Pain and Ace Alexander; and step-great-grandchild Ally Davis.

The graveside service was held Monday, Jan. 23, at Town Creek Cemetery in Auburn at 1 p.m. The family is choosing to honor Roberta with donations to Storybook Farm or your favorite charity in lieu of flowers.