ROCKY MOUNT, NC – Roberta “Bobbi” Gaskins Weeks, age 79, passed away on Saturday, April 18, 2026. Born in Richmond, VA on November 26, 1946, she was the daughter of the late Ryland Crittenden Gaskins, Sr. and Emily Gertrude Conley Gaskins. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 35 years, Hassell Howard Weeks, Jr., and her brother, Ryland Crittenden Gaskins, Jr.
Bobbi grew up in Kilmarnock, VA, on the Chesapeake Bay, where she thoroughly enjoyed time by and in the water. She spent her youth soft shell crabbing, sailing, boating, and water skiing. It was there she formed a special friendship with her dear friend of 78 years, Gwen Keane, filled with years of laughter and shared memories.
Bobbi loved being a teacher; it was truly her calling. She had very fond memories of the many children she taught who blessed her, inspired her, and made her smile each and every day. Bobbi took great joy in seeing her students later in life and was often told she had been their favorite teacher, as they would ask if she remembered them. It touched her heart deeply to know she had guided her students in the right direction. Bobbi worked as an educator for more than 35 years, spending most of her time teaching in the Nash-Rocky Mount School System. The last 19 years of her career, she taught at Benvenue Elementary and was certified in Academically Gifted education. Even though she retired in June 2007, teaching was still her passion, so Bobbi worked at Rocky Mount Academy for five more extraordinary years, teaching third-grade students with her dear friend, Mary Scott.
Bobbi excelled in her profession. She was an officer and member of the International Reading Association; a board member of the Association for the Education of Young Children; a clinical teacher with East Carolina University and North Carolina Wesleyan College; a mentor teacher for Nash-Rocky Mount Schools; and an officer and member of Alpha Delta Kappa, an international honorary sorority for women educators. She also won numerous awards for her published poetry.
Bobbi was extremely active in her church, First Presbyterian Church of Rocky Mount, and she loved it dearly. She was active in Together in Service of the Presbyterian Women’s Coordinating Team and attended the Circle of Joy, Peacemakers of Rocky Mount, the Flower Ministry, the Prom Closet, Meals on Wheels, and the Presbyterian Scholarship Committee, and she served as a deacon. Earlier, she also helped with Vacation Bible School. Although Bobbi often said, “I love my church,” it was always evident in her devotion as an active and dedicated member.
Bobbi’s greatest pleasure came from her relationships with family and friends. She cherished her 35 years of marriage to the love of her life and best friend, Hassell Weeks. She considered her two children her greatest accomplishments and delighted in seeing her husband’s family and her own family merge into one. She always considered family time together very special. Sitting around the dining room table celebrating birthdays were memories she dearly cherished. Bobbi was always delighted when her grown children and their spouses would come to visit. She was very proud of her stepfamily and enjoyed the time spent with them, especially with the six beautiful grandchildren.
Bobbi often traveled to Scottsdale, AZ, to visit her son, daughter-in-law, and her granddaughters, Madison Grace and Harper Mae. Their giggles and sweet smiles always made the long hours of travel worthwhile. Vacations at the beach with family and friends were also very special to Bobbi. Visiting her daughter and son-in-law in Wilmington was a wonderful joy in her life. She also loved her fur babies—the dachshunds.
As much as Bobbi enjoyed being at home with family, she was always up for an adventure. Early in her marriage, she enjoyed touring Europe. She also enjoyed cruising with family to the Caribbean to explore many of the islands. Bobbi held dear the adventures she shared later in life, especially time spent with her childhood best friend, Gwen Keane. Together they traveled to Kauai, visited New Orleans multiple times, saw Broadway performances in New York, and cruised through Alaska, often with her daughter, Kimbelyn.
Bobbi also loved visiting her hometown of Kilmarnock, VA, on the Chesapeake Bay, to see family and spend quality time with friends. She would often say that “going home” was going to “God’s Headquarters” because she found it exceptionally beautiful and peaceful on the water. In addition to Gwen, Bobbi was blessed with many dear friends, each of whom meant the world to her. Their shared laughter was endless, their memories countless, and her friendships treasured. A devoted and loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and dear friend to many, Bobbi will be deeply missed and never forgotten.
Bobbi leaves behind to cherish her memory, her children, Kimbelyn Delano Emory and husband, Stuart Mason Emory, and Brian James Thornes and wife, Megan Arth Thornes, and their daughters, Madison Grace and Harper Mae Thornes; her stepchildren, Dr. Hassell Howard Weeks, III and wife, Pat Weeks, and Louis Batchelor Weeks and wife, Trish Weeks; her step-grandchildren, Elizabeth Clarke Weeks; Katherine Weeks Copeman and husband, Dillon; and Ana Katherine and Ty Ellstrom; her sister, Sue Forrester; her sister-in-law, Shelva Gaskins and her family; three nephews, a niece, and their families; her lifelong friend, Gwen Keane; and her dachshund, Willow. Per Bobbi, her final delight was becoming a great-grandmother, “Ba Ba,” to Evelyn Maye Copeman.
A Celebration of Life Service to celebrate Bobbi’s life will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at 2:30 PM in the sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church, 153 N Church St, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. A Private Graveside Service will be held at Pineview Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be following the service in the First Presbyterian Church Reception Hall.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Bobbi’s name to either First Presbyterian Church, 153 N Church St, Rocky Mount, NC 27804 or to Rocky Mount Academy, 1313 Avondale Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27803.
Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.
