Obituary of Roberta Alene Dowdell

Roberta Alene Dowdell, age 84, passed away on Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at her home in Land ‘O Lakes, FL.

She and her twin sister, Alberta, were born at home in Swanick, IL on October 22, 1939, to Everett and Nora Guenther on the family farm. Roberta grew up on the farm with her twin and five other sisters.

Roberta married Dale Robinson of Letart, WV in 1959. She was a homemaker who raised five children in Pinckneyville, IL and later moved to Tampa, FL in 1975.

She was widowed in 1981 upon Dale’s passing, and she later married Fred Dowdell. She worked in retail for many years; after retirement, she worked part time for Publix.

Roberta is preceded in death by her parents, husband Dale Robinson, second husband Fred Dowdell, daughter Tammy Mealer, and son-in-law Rick Mealer.

Roberta has four surviving children: Kimberly Loy and Judy Powell of Land O Lakes, FL; Kevin Robinson and wife Judy of Mauertown, VA; and Penny Huff and husband Brian of Forrest, IL.

Roberta is also survived by six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren: Danny Mealer and wife Angie of Andrews, NC; Denise Mealer and her two children, Cadence and Xander, of Andrews, NC; Alicia Loy and boyfriend Brandon Messineo of Pittsburgh, PA; Samantha Bell of Andrews, NC; Zachary Huff and Brianna Huff of Forrest IL.

She is also survived by six sisters, three brothers-in-law and many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.

Roberta enjoyed cooking, crafting, sewing, listening to country music, talking to her relatives, and solving sudoku puzzles and word games. She enjoyed her part time job at Publix grocery store, as she loved interacting with her customers. Roberta will be greatly missed by her loved ones and her dear friends.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Roberta’s memory to the Hospice Foundation.

Please click HERE to view a recording of the committal service.