Marilyn Jo 'Blondie' Roberts of Pinckneyville

Marilyn Jo "Blondie" Roberts, age 89, of Pinckneyville, Illinois, passed away at 12:19 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021 in her home surrounded by her family. She will be greatly missed.

Marilyn was born on July 26, 1932 in Mound City, Illinois, a daughter to Abner Alexander and Mary Elizabeth (Huckleberry) Batson. On June 2, 1953 in Biloxi, Mississippi she married Milton Leo Roberts Sr., and they remained married until Dec. 11, 2008 when he preceded her in death.

Marilyn was of the Methodist faith. She worked at the dress factory in Centralia, Illinois, and for the Illinois Department of Human Services/Division of Rehabilitation Services. Marilyn enjoyed collecting elephant figurines, bowling, golfing and playing games such as softball, poker, pinochle, and bingo. She was an avid St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan. She loved spending time with her family and her little dog, Elvis.

Marilyn is survived by her niece, Jeannine Finney of Pinckneyville and nephew, John (Cassie) Batson of Bardstown, Kentucky, who were both raised by Milton and Marilyn, and considered them as their parents. Marilyn is also survived by her sister-in-law, Donna Batson; five grandchildren; adopted family, Myung and Yang Hoon Kim; three adopted grandchildren, Susan, Katie and Tony; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; one daughter, Janet Kim; one son, Milton Leo Roberts Jr.; one grandson, William Joshua Kim; one sister, Phyllis Gray; two brothers, Dave Batson and Bob Batson; and one great-niece, Caitlyn Finney.

A memorial service will begin at 1 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 17 at Pyatt Funeral Home in Pinckneyville, with Cathy Pyatt officiating. Interment will be at Hillcrest Cemetery in Centralia.

Visitation will be held at Pyatt Funeral Home in Pinckneyville for an hour prior to the memorial service, starting at noon.

COVID-19 mandates and regulations will be enforced at the funeral home.

Memorial donations are invited to be made to Residential Hospice.

Pyatt Funeral Home in Pinckneyville has been entrusted with the arrangements.

For more information or to sign an online guest register, visit www.pyattfuneralhome.com.