Roberta Joan Douglas

Roberta Joan Abate Douglas
Obituary
May 21, 1939 - February 18, 2024

Roberta Joan Abate Douglas, passed away on February 18, 2024, peacefully at her home in Banning, CA. She was born on May 21, 1939, in Rockford, Ill. in her family home to Carl and Vera Leone Abate. She was the fourth oldest of six children.

Due to health concerns as a young child, the family relocated to Dallas, TX. and then moved to Riverside, CA. where she graduated from Cal-Poly High School. The family eventually settled in sunny San Diego, CA., where she met her lifetime love and soul mate, Navy Seaman - Ruil C. Douglas. After a short, 90 day courtship, both at the tender age of 18, they were married on August 1, 1957.

While her husband was on a six month military cruise, she gave birth to their first son, Gary in Riverside, CA. 18 months later, she gave birth to her second son Steven in San Diego and three years later, their daughter Roberta Kathleen was born in San Diego. After a short tour in Belle Chasse, Louisiana, the family received orders to Rota, Spain, where their youngest son Carl was born. Upon their return to the US, the family was then stationed in Charleston, South Carolina for 2 years and then reassigned to San Diego, at which time her husband honorably retired from his military service. The family moved to his home town of Madisonville, LA. for one year before permanently settling in Banning, CA. in 1976.

Roberta was a 20 year career military wife and the first female certified weighmaster in the State of Louisiana. While living in Spain, she worked as an associate at the Navy exchange and later worked for the Sony Corporation in Poway, CA., building televisions and becoming a first line supervisor. For several years, she was a seasonal mail order worker for Hadley's. She was a co-owner of R&R Po Boys restaurant in Banning and later a co-owner of R&R Trucking Co. As her children progressed through their schooling, Roberta was an advocate and dedicated community member, contributing many hours of service for local organizations such as Stagecoach Days, Sportsman Club events, and was an active member in various booster programs including the baseball, football, and music programs for Banning High School.

Roberta was a woman of strong faith in God and cherished taking care of her husband and family. She enjoyed spending time with her sisters playing bingo, watching Judge Judy, crocheting, and celebrating holidays with her entire family.

Roberta is preceded in death by her parents and her sisters Ann Coslett (Thomas) and Nancy Rowell (Courtney).

She is survived by her loving husband of 67 years - Ruil C. Douglas, her sister Rosemary Bourne (Douglas) and brothers Charles Robert Abate (Darlene) and Carl Abate (Darlynn), her children Gary C. Douglas (Janice) of Amite City, LA., Steven W. Douglas (Evelyn) of Cherry Valley, CA., R. Kathleen Douglas (Jaime) of Banning, CA. and Carl J. Douglas (Theodora) of Banning, CA. In addition, Roberta is survived by 15 loving grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren, all who will miss her dearly.

A celebration of life will be held at Wiefels & Son Mortuary in Banning on Friday, March 1, 2024 at 12 p.m. with a family and friends gathering to follow. Flowers may be sent to Wiefels & Son Mortuary, 50. E. Nicolet St., Banning.

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