Roberta Helms Ratterree

Published 8:48 pm Thursday, August 19, 2021

TRYON–Roberta Helms Ratterree, 62, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family and friends on Friday, August 6, 2021 at The Elizabeth House in Flat Rock, NC.

Roberta, the daughter of the late Robert Everette Helms, Jr. and the late Leonora Redfearn Helms, was born on November 30, 1958 in Monroe, NC. Her family moved to Spartanburg in 1971. She graduated from Spartanburg Day School in 1978 where she was a star athlete in all sports, especially basketball. When she graduated, her basketball jersey was retired. In 2005, she was inducted into Spartanburg Day School’s Athletic Hall of Fame.

Roberta received her Associate Degree in business administration from The University of South Carolina. After graduation, she began working for C&S National Bank in Spartanburg. Through bank mergers, she worked for Bank of America and predecessors for 35 years in their operations division, human resources, and the retail bank. She then worked for Parsec Financial as a Client Service Assistant.

She was devoted to her community of Tryon, Polk County, and Spartanburg. Roberta was a member of the Rotary Club of Tryon and served on numerous local boards such as Tryon Downtown Development Association, Pacolet Area Conservancy, Upstairs Gallery, Mary Black Hospital Foundation, and St. Luke’s Hospital Foundation.

Roberta was a loving, compassionate person. She could light up a room with her smile and infectious laugh. She was a person with a phenomenal attitude and a big heart.

She is survived by her husband of 33 years, William “Bill” Lyle Ratterree; and a blessing in their lives, Jared Philip Scott; a sister, Emmalyn Helms Heath (Jeff); and a brother, Edward Phifer Helms (Polly); five nieces, Courtney Heath Madden (Sean), Lauren Heath Bryant (Wes), Ginny Helms Warlick (Coulter), Sarah Helms Floyd (John), and Caroline Bowie Helms; and many friends that loved her so.

Roberta is also survived by her beloved golden retriever, Lily.

A memorial service will be held at Tryon Presbyterian Church on Saturday, August 21st, at 11:00AM. A reception will be held following the service. The family requests that guests wear their masks.

In remembrance of Roberta, memorials may be made to The Elizabeth House, 571 South Allen Road, Flat Rock, NC 28731 or to Foothills Humane Society, 989 Little Mountain Road, Columbus, NC 28722, or to the charity of one’s choice.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.JMDunbar.com.

Dunbar Funeral Home & Crematory

Spartanburg, SC