Dorothy Wynne Siler Roberson

(August 11, 1939 - June 5, 2023)

Dorothy ("Dot") Wynne Siler Roberson was the artist's artist. She could create masterful portraits, landscapes, and still-life paintings. Her caricatures were masterpieces in capturing her friends' and relatives' personalities. In addition to being a talented, creative artist, Dot was a dog lover, a voracious reader, a deep thinker, and an engaging conversationalist. We lost a person of great value to our planet on Monday, June 5, 2023. She was born in Harrisonburg, Virginia, on August 11, 1939, to Wendell Hamilton Siler, Sr. and Mildred Cromer Siler, both of whom preceded her in death: The Siler family moved to Roanoke in the early 1940s and Dot remained here for the duration of her life. Her parents, although deprived of educational opportunities themselves, valued college educations for their children. Dot initially pursued her university education at American University in Washington, D.C., completing her bachelor's degree at Hollins College, followed by a master's degree in Fine Arts from Radford University. She could master any medium and shared her knowledge of the tools of art with many friends and students. She taught briefly at Roanoke College and ended her professional career as a creative production designer at Bacova Guild in Bath County, VA. Dot Roberson was apparently a Mom to many, as people who considered her so have expressed that feeling of kinship with her. She was beloved by her family and friends because she shared her love generously and was always there when help was needed.

Dot's lasting legacies include the people she loved, cared about, and cared for, her numerous commercial creations out in the world, and the many beautiful works of art found in the homes of her friends and family members. Dot is survived by her daughters, DeStacy Roberson and Virginia Roberson, and her son, Ross Roberson, and daughter-in-law, Michelle, and their children, Megan and Curtis. Her sister, Bettie Sue Siler Masters, and brother, Wendell Hamilton Siler, Jr., also survive her. She also leaves her devoted partner of over thirty years, James Chisom, and her former husband, friend, and father of their children, Dr. James O. Roberson.

In accordance with Dot's beliefs and wishes, there will be no traditional funeral or memorial service. Instead, there will be a gathering of friends and relatives at a celebration of her life later this year.

In lieu of other remembrances, you may honor Dot and her lifelong love of animals by making a charitable donation to Roanoke Valley SPCA or Angels of Assisi.