Billie Rose Robertson

Billie Rose Robertson, 86, of Morganton, died Tuesday, August 21, 2012, at Grace Hospital after a brief illness. She was born January 12, 1926, in Concord, NC, the only child of William Hugh Beckerdite and Maude Rose Beckerdite. She had a happy childhood with her devoted parents and loyal friends in Concord. She attended Salem College and graduated from Duke University in 1947. She lived briefly in Charlotte, then for several years in Hendersonville, NC, before moving to Morganton in 1965. She was active in many community activities in Morganton, including the BUCM soup kitchen and the Burke Literacy Council. She was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church, where she served on the altar guild. After her mobility was limited, she participated in worship through the television ministry of First Presbyterian Church in Charlotte. She had a wide range of interests, including literature, opera, film, sports, and current events. She was a dedicated fan of the Red Sox and of Davidson Wildcat basketball. She was a kind and gracious person, with a creative intelligence that remained until the end of her life.Mrs. Robertson is survived by her sons, William Robertson, Jr., of Morganton, and Hugh Robertson, and wife, Kim, of Charlotte; grandchildren, Paul Robertson of Austin, TX, Samuel Robertson of Los Angeles, Anne Robertson of Yonkers, NY, Bill Robertson of Charlotte, and Elizabeth Robertson of Charlotte; cousin Ann Boddie of Hickory; brother-in-law RADM Horace B. Robertson and sister-in-law Patricia Robertson both of Durham, nephews Mark Robertson of Columbia, SC, and his wife Deborah, and James Robertson of Austin, TX, and his wife Melinda Taylor.Mrs. Robertson was predeceased by her beloved husband, William (Bill) Ellis Robertson, who died May 10, 1993.The funeral will be Sunday, August 26, 2012, at 3:00 p.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church in Morganton, with the Rev. Michael Riley presiding. The family will receive friends beginning at 2:00 p.m. Committal will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery. Sossoman Funeral Service in charge of arrangements.The family suggests that memorial donations may be made to Calvary Lutheran Church, 119 N. King Street, Morganton, NC 28655 or to First Presbyterian Church TV Ministry, 200 West Trade Street, Charlotte, NC 28202.The family is thankful to the nurses and doctors of the ICU of Grace Hospital for the extraordinary care they provided in the last hours of Mrs. Robertson's life.