Zella B. Moretz Roberts

February 28, 1909 - September 9, 2017

Zella B. Moretz Roberts, Bristol, TN’s oldest citizen, peacefully departed this life September 9, 2017 at the age of 108 years, 6 months and 12 days. She was welcomed into this world Sunday, February 28, 1909, by her parents, the late Myra Dora Hartley and Eugene Moretz. She was the seventh child in a family of ten children and spent her childhood in the community of Meat Camp, Watauga County, North Carolina. As a young woman she worked at the Greene Inn in Boone, NC and then relocated to High Point, NC where she was employed as a Nanny for the young son of Dr. and Mrs. Harry L. Brockman. In 1936 she moved to Bristol and after years of employment in the garment industry, she retired as a supervisor from Westbury. She retained membership in the church of her childhood; Pleasant Valley Methodist Church, Meat Camp, NC; a community church her father helped organize and build. She attended First Christian Church, Bristol, VA. Along with her husband, Russell Butler Roberts, whom she married on April 2, 1938 she was preceded in death by sisters, Effie H. Wilson and Flora M. Blevins. Seven brother; Rhonda Carl, Manley Eugene, George Columbus, Ernest Leonard, Duke Lester, Earl Azor and Eston Duard Moretz. Those left to cherish her memory are devoted nieces; Janet M. Goodman and Martine M. Houser, her Broadmore Senior Living Family, two sisters-in-law, numerous other caring nieces, nephews, family members and friends. The family would like to express our sincere appreciation to the staff of Broadmore Senior Living and to Amedisys Hospice, Kingsport, TN for the loving care given to her in the last period of her life. The funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 P.M., Tuesday, September 12, 2017 in Akard Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Herbert Peake officiating. Interment will follow in Glenwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends 1:00 – 2:00 P.M. prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be made to Pleasant Valley Methodist Church Cemetery Fund c/o Mr. Len Moretz, 215 Len Moretz Road, Boone, NC 28607 or to First Christian Church Kitchen Fund, 311 Spencer Street, Bristol, VA 24201 Condolences may be sent to the family at akardfuneralhome.com Akard Funeral Home, 1912 West State St., Bristol, TN (423) 989-4800 is serving the Roberts family.