Roberta Faye (McLin) Wilson

Roberta Faye (McLin) Wilson, age 83, of Shelby, died Saturday night, June 21, 2025 at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus with her family at her side. Her death follows a period of declining health.

Roberta was born on September 5, 1941 in Wolfe County, KY to Robert Bruce and Hazel (Howard) McLin. She attended and graduated in 1960 from Hazel Green Academy, a private Christian academy founded by her great grandfather. At the age of 18 she had already lost two cousins and her father. She began to take care of her mother who was ill and often bedridden, while also caring for her younger twin sisters whom she loved with all her heart. By age 19 she had lost both parents and moved to a college dorm at Morehead State University where she earned her dual degrees in Education and Library Science while working in the college library to pay her student loans. During the summer she took a train to Portland, Oregon, by herself, to be a Nanny for her former Girl Scout Leader’s three daughters. Her pay for being a Nanny was getting to travel and camp with the Stanley family each weekend. She enjoyed getting to travel the West Coast and spoke about it often.

Roberta married Estill Lee Wilson the same day she graduated from college in 1965, and they drove to Shelby, OH that evening to their apartment on Plum Avenue, a place she had never been, hours away from any family or friends. That fall she began teaching third grade at Auburn Elementary. She walked to and from work each day and the dress code for teachers did not allow pants- dresses and skirts only. When she did get her first car, she did it right, sporting a brand-new baby blue Buick Wildcat convertible.

In November of 1969 Roberta and Estill welcomed their daughter, Tammy, and their family was made whole. She and Tammy were so very close. She took time away from work to raise her, thus growing their inseparable bond. Roberta later returned to work at Shelby City Schools as a librarian at Dowds, Central, and ultimately at Shelby Middle School. During that time she earned her master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Ashland University in May of 1988. She enjoyed her students and Shelby City Schools and retired in July of 1998 following nearly 30 years of service

Roberta loved her home, her yard, her flowers, her pets, and her books. Most of all, she loved her family and was so proud of each and every single one of them. Tammy married John Magers. John was Roberta’s hero as she was certain that there was nothing John could not do, fix, or make right, if he set his mind to it. Slade and Will, her grandsons, were the true apples of her eye. They brought her more joy and happiness than anyone could imagine. She was so proud of them. As they grew, she was their caregiver and taxi service. But, more so, she was their constant supporter and loving mamaw.

Her love for family was beyond her immediate family. One of Roberta’s favorite things was a family reunion or special occasion. She would plan and plan, with the anticipation of seeing her loved ones and making it perfect. Family history was so very important to her and she proudly authored the McLin Family Cookbook which was distributed to the entire family at the 2013 family reunion at Greenbo Lake State Park in KY. Even in recent years of health decline, Roberta remained steadfast in care and love for family and staying in touch with them online via Facebook.

Roberta was dedicated to remaining as active as her mind and body allowed. She managed to publish her first children’s book, The Kitten in the Manger, just a couple of years ago. With sore fingers and worsening eyesight, she continued sewing catnip toys to benefit the Humane Society and STOP. It is unimaginable how many toys she made and donated to benefit shelters over the years as helping animals was something extremely important to her. She also volunteered for many years at Raemelton Therapeutic Equestrian Center.

Roberta and Estill were married 48 wonderful years before his unexpected passing in 2013. Their life together was full of adventure and fun. They were members of the First Christian Church in Shelby, Shelby Country Club, Shelby Moose, and Clover Leaf Square Dance Club. They loved square dancing together. In later years they enjoyed camping, spending time on their pontoon boat, and swimming in their pool. Additionally, Roberta was a member of the National Day Lilly Society and enjoyed being a part of Garden Club. It is certain their reunion in Heaven was joyous along with other family members, friends, and their numerous pets who have gone before her.

Roberta is survived by her daughter and son-in-law: Tammy and John Magers of Shelby; grandsons: Jonathan Slade Magers and Wilson Harris “Will” Magers; sisters: Linda McLin (Tom Marsh) of Mt. Vernon and Rita (Chuck) Whitney of Howard; in-laws: Ruth McLin, Danny Wilson, and Jimmy (Bonnie) Wilson; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. In addition to her parents and husband, Roberta was preceded in death by her siblings: Robert Harris McLin, Lawrence Bruce McLin, Lois Ann Runyon, and Jean Eloise Gleason.

Family and friends are welcome on Thursday, June 26, 2025 from 5-7 pm at the Penwell Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby, where funeral services will be held on Friday, June 27, 2025 at 1 pm. There will an addition hour of visitation prior to the funeral from 12-1 pm. Pastor Jim Forrest will officiate the services with burial following in Oakland Cemetery, Shelby. Memorial contributions may be made to the Richland County Humane Society (adoptourstrays.com/donate) or S.T.O.P., 1152 Lexington Ave, Mansfield, OH, United States, 44907.

Condolences may be made on Roberta’s obituary on the funeral home’s website (PenwellFuneralHome.com) or their Facebook page (Facebook.com/PenwellFuneralHome).

 

To view Roberta’s tribute video click here: Roberta’s tribute video.