Roberta Charity Appleton
Jul 7, 1925 – Oct 25, 2026 · age 101 · Huntsville
Born in Huntsville
Roberta Charity Appleton, 101, of Huntsville; passed away Sunday, October 25, 2026, at Countryside Assisted Living. She was born Tuesday, July 7, 1925, at Huntsville; to Grover Thurman and Annie Melissa Hawkins Harris. Roberta was a graduate of Huntsville State Vocational School and married James Claudie Appleton, on Sunday, April 5, 1953, in Huntsville. She began her working years helping her father, followed by employment in the Madison County Courthouse revenue office and two years with Carroll Electric.
In 1953, Roberta began her career with the United States Postal Service, where she dedicated many years of service to her community. In 1972, she became the first postmistress appointed through a non-political process, a meaningful milestone in her career. She retired from the Postal Service in 1980, leaving behind a legacy of dedication and service. Roberta had a special eye for beauty and a lifelong interest in interior design, even taking classes at the University of Arkansas to further her knowledge.
She also enjoyed china painting and cherished the many adventures she shared with her husband, Claudie, especially traveling and camping together. Above all, Roberta had a loving heart and a genuine care for others. She loved everyone and stayed close to the people who meant so much to her, often making daily phone calls to check on family and friends. Those calls were a simple but heartfelt expression of her love and the special place others held in her life.
Roberta also gave generously of her time through her service on the boards of the Methodist Church and the Huntsville Cemetery. Roberta will be remembered for her warm heart, her thoughtfulness, her devotion to her family and friends, and the many ways she touched the lives of those around her. Roberta was preceded in death by her husband, Claudie Appleton; her parents, Grover and Annie Harris; three sisters, Amo Davis, May Harris, and Josephine Dillahunty; and eight brothers, Harold Harris, John D. Harris, Virgil Harris, Paul Harris, Jean Harris, James C.
Harris, Robert Harris, and Gilbert Harris.
Pallbearers will be Darrin Davis, Mike Harris, Matt Uhrich, Carter Fliss, Caleb tenBerge, Tyler Crowder, Keiran Crowder, and Dooley Harris.
Honorary pallbearers will be Chuck Harris, Kenny Harris, and Russell Harris.
Interment will immediately follow services at Huntsville Cemetery.
Services are entrusted to Brashears Funeral Home and Crematory of Huntsville.
Survivors
She is survived by her six nieces, Nancy Ulrich (Richard), of Wichita, Kansas; Brenda Ackerman (Stephen), Lana Couch (Jim), both of Huntsville; Marcia Coward, of Springdale; Laurinda Quaid, of Celina, Texas, and Connie tenBerge (John), of Huntsville; two nephews, Chuck Harris, of Huntsville; and Russell Harris, of Austin, Texas; and many extended family and friends.
