Sally Roberts entered into eternal rest on March 24, 2021, following a battle with cancer. Sally was born in Alpine, Texas, on Oct. 26, 1971, to Ike and Sue Roberts. Sally was a life-long resident of Marathon, Texas.

She grew up working for her dad and along side her brothers on the family ranch, Travis Roberts Ranch, and also on the ranch Ike worked for, Paisano Cattle Company. She developed a love for animals at a very early age, and carried that love of animals throughout her life. 

Sally graduated from Marathon schools in 1990, then attended and graduated from Sul Ross State University in 1994 with dual majors of chemistry and Spanish. Sally participated in numerous exchange programs that took her to many countries, including Venezuela, Germany, and Australia. Sally never lost the travel bug, and traveled extensively throughout Europe in the late 1990s and early 2000s. 

Following her graduation from Sul Ross, Sally went to work as a biology fire-effects technician, studying plants throughout the Big Bend, as well as areas throughout West Texas. Following this five-year stint, she transitioned over to the National Forest Service, and worked as a wild land firefighter. Her sense of adventure lead her to repel out of helicopters into forest fires in the Southwest, West Coast, and Northwest.

In 2007, Sally returned home to Marathon, and started her dairy, Z-Bar Farms, where she continued her learning by making and selling all sorts of products from milk, both goat’s milk and cow’s milk. Her love of animals flourished during this time. She was known to have goats, cows, chickens, geese, ducks, and horses roaming her barnyard. 

Sally was a very devout Catholic, and was a lifelong parishioner of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Marathon. Sally carried her faith with her wherever she went, and was quick to share it with anyone. Sally served in many ministries here, but one that was very dear to her was being a catechist. 

Sally’s faith stayed with her throughout her life, especially through her battle with cancer. She had many great qualities, but her faith was probably her shining light. 

Sally is survived by her parents Ike and Sue; her brothers Joe and Tim; sisters-in-law Zaira and Amy; nieces Margaret and Sarah; nephews Larry, Michael, and George; and step nephews Gage and Logan Williams, as well as aunts, uncles, and many cousins.

Sally was preceded in death by both her paternal and maternal grandparents, and three uncles.

Services for Sally will be held in Marathon. A vigil followed by a Rosary will be held Friday April 9, 2021, at 7 p.m. at St. Mary’s.  The funeral service will be April 10, 2021, at 10:30 a.m.  at St. Mary’s, unfortunately limited to family due to COVID restrictions), followed by graveside at Marathon Cemetery. The Rosary, funeral Mass, and graveside will all be live streamed on Imelda Hernandez’s Facebook. 

The family has asked in lieu of flowers, please send a donation to either St. Mary’s Mission in Marathon or Mount Carmel Hermitage, P.O. Box 337, Christoval TX 76935, or stellamaris@carmelitehermits.org.