Wilma C. Roach

Mrs. Wilma Leigh Curtis Roach of Moncks Corner, married for 60 years to the late Virgil James Roach, died peacefully on March 28, 2013.

Mrs. Roach was born December 8, 1923, in Hayesville, NC, a daughter of Flora Curtis and Clyde Worth Curtis. Educated in NC schools, she was a lifelong lover of reading, always preferring a book to television. Mrs. Roach was a loyal member of First Baptist Church of Moncks Corner for 60 years. As a mother of 6, she became an excellent seamstress, making clothes for her children and herself. This included many prom dresses for her three daughters. She was also known as a great southern cook, a talent enjoyed by her grown sons and grandson, as they found a place at her mid-day table.

Mrs. Roach enjoyed a love of, and talent for, fishing. On the lake or the river, she often had the largest catch in any group. She and Mr. Roach especially enjoyed fishing with their friends Cora and Chap Chapman. She also liked sports, especially baseball, whether in the yard with her children or at the Atlanta Braves game or following her Braves on television.

Travel was also a favorite activity, including Europe with her church friends, Reverend Norman and Lois Gillespie, out West with her grown children, and the Northeast with friends, Susie and Allen Perkins.

As the children were leaving the nest. Mrs. Roach became a businesswoman, opening the first Merle Norman Cosmetic shop in Moncks Corner around 1965. She later added sportswear to her shop. Customers didn't seem to mind occasionally finding a "gone fishing" sign on the front door. She lure of her cabin in the mountains of NC eventually became too great and she sold her shop to spend more time in her beloved homeplace. She, her sister and two brothers, all had summer places adjacent to each other in the mountains. She spent her happiest last summers there.

Mrs. Roach is survived by a sister Louise Tucker of Atlanta, GA, widow of Edward Tucker, and two sisters-in-law Velma Curtis of Hayesville, NC, widow of Mark Curtis, and Dorothy Curtis of Demorest, GA, widow of Frank Curtis.

She is also survived by 5 children: Betty Crow and her husband, Fred; and Dotty Overson and her husband, Monnie, of Pinopolis, SC; Sue Brake and her husband, Dan, of Mt. Pleasant, SC; Jim Roach and his wife, Jan; and Van Roach and his wife, Debbie, of Moncks Corner. Surviving grandchidren are: Dr. Robert Crow; Lisa C. Ruggles and her husband, Frank; Shannon B. deVivies and her husband, Philippe; Dr. Daniel Brake and his wife, Melanie; John Hill; Karen R. Whaley and her husband, Roy; Jennifer R. Freeman and her huband, Jason; Quincy Rutledge; Adrianne R. Driggers and her husband, Will; and Justin Roach and his wife, Heather. Step grandchildren are Anne-Marie O. King and her husband, Greg; Ronnie Overson and his wife, Deanna; Mike Skinner; Terry S. McPherson and husband, Tommy; Shaerry Skinner; Britt Gilbert and his wife, Heather; and Lacey Gilbert and his wife, Christie; there are 30 great grandchildren.

In addition to her two brothers, Mrs. Roach was predeceased by a son Robert "Bob" Roach and a granddaughter, Whitney Leigh Hill.

The family would like to thank special companions, Norma Collins, Patsy Eady and Hazel Hughes, for their kindness and special care, and the staff at Lake Moultrie Nursing Center.

Flowers will be appreciated, or memorials to First Baptist Church, 112 E. Main St., Moncks Corner, S.C. 29461; Alzheimer's Assn., P. O. Box 80459, Charleston, SC 29416-0459; or Odyssey Hospice, 5965 Core Ave., N. Charleston, SC 29406.

The family will be at the home of Van and Debra Roach, 1302 Limetree Lane, Sterling Oaks, Moncks Corner.

Mrs. Roach's funeral service will be held at First Baptist Church of Moncks Corner Tuesday morning, April 2, 2013, at 11 o'clock. Interment will follow in Berkeley Memorial Gardens, directed by Russell Funeral Chapel. The family will receive friends at Russell Funeral Chapel Monday evening, April 1, 2013, between 6 and 8 o'clock.