Roberta M. Lott

Roberta Marion Lott – teacher, family historian, mother, and wife to Gale F. Lott – left us June 2, 2022, at the age of 86.  Born to Dorothy and Robert Carlton on Christmas Day 1935, Roberta grew up on a farm outside of Perry, Michigan.  Her mother worked full-time outside the home, a bit of a rarity for that time, and Roberta spent summers and many hours after school watching, entertaining, and chasing her younger brothers Bill and Mike.  Roberta graduated from Perry High school in June 1953, then continued her studies to become a dental hygienist.  At work in a Lansing dental office, she met Gale when he walked in for an appointment.  “He was just back from Korea, with a lot of cavities!” she once recounted.  Gale and Roberta were married on November 17, 1956 (when Gale’s bowling league was on break, Roberta laughingly recounted).

The married couple moved into their home at 4335 Holt Road in 1960, having scraped together the hefty down payment of $2,000.  It was here she lived with Gale for almost 54 years, raising her children while lovingly remodeling the entire house, room by room.  When her youngest child started school, Roberta decided to resume her education as well.  She went on to achieve a Master’s Degree from Michigan State University.  She joined the Holt Junior High School staff in 1979, where she taught English and History for the next 15 years.  Roberta then continued as a part-time teacher until 2005.  She also devoted her time as a volunteer at the local library, Holt United Methodist Church, and served for many years on the Holt School Board.

Roberta is survived by the following immediate family members:  brothers Robert (Bill) William (and wife Kelly) Carlton and Michael (Mike) Carroll Carlton; children Timothy (Tim), Catherine (Cathy), Elizabeth (Liz), Jennifer, and Chelsea (Phany) Vann; grandchildren Elizabeth (Ellie) and Berdeen (Deen) Lott-Clough.