Roberta Bullis

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Roberta Bullis, 87, formally of Bainbridge, passed away, Aug. 29, 2021, with family by her side. She was born to the late Frederick and Jennie Patterson in the family home in Hamden. She was married to Clyde H. Bullis on Nov. 10, 1956, in Masonville, who predeceased her in 1989. She was also predeceased by her only sister Joanne Becker and a grandchild Brian Stevens.  

Roberta is survived by eight children: Betty (Martin) Sullivan, Homosassa, Fla., Wesley Bullis of Bainbridge, James C. (Kathleen) Bullis of Oxford, Dale Bullis of Bainbridge, Joyce (Guy) Smith of Franklin, Thelma Bain of Las Vegas, Nev., Jerry Bullis of Norwich; and Laura Bullis of Watertown. She is also survived by five grandchildren: John Stevens, Jennifer Stevens, April Bullis, James J. Bullis, and Jeremy Bullis as well as five great-grandchildren. 

Roberta or “Bert” as she was known by many, raised her family on a small dairy farm in Bainbridge. In addition to farming, over the years she worked as a short-order cook in several restaurants, a security guard for Borden’s Elmer’s Glue plant, and a cleaner for the Afton Raceway, Canoe Regatta, Walton Fair, and the Rest Area I-88 Eastbound to name a few. She was a member of the Sidney Moose Lodge #277 and also the Masonville Rod & Gun Club.

Roberta was a woman of many talents and hobbies. She was an avid gardener cultivating both flowers and produce, which earned her numerous blue ribbons at local county fairs. She enjoyed the outdoors; berry picking, fishing, bird watching, and especially camping in the Adirondacks. Roberta had a love for all animals, ceramics, canning, crocheting, sewing baby blankets, listening to live music, attending lumberjack festivals, fairs, and clambakes, playing bingo, and most of all going for a drive whenever the mood would strike her. 

Famous for wearing a fanny pack purse and displaying a flower bouquet on her car antennas, Roberta was also well known locally for her homemade mac & cheese, deviled eggs, potato salad, canned relish, jellies, and jams. Sharing food was how she showed her love, which thankfully, she showed often. 

A celebration of life will be held at the Masonville Rod & Gun Club, 595 Pine Hill Road, Masonville, on Saturday, Sept. 4 from 1-5 p.m. All who would like to remember Bert are welcome to attend. 

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Behe Funeral Home Inc., 21 Main Street, Oxford. Friends and family may share memories and condolences by visiting www.behefuneralhome.com