Cynthia “Cindy” McAnally Roberts, age 84, of Benton, Kentucky, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 25, 2025, at Lake Way Nursing and Rehabilitation, surrounded by family, after a long and courageous journey with dementia.
Cindy was born on March 25, 1941, in Paducah, Kentucky, to the late George Carl McNally and Mary Elizabeth Counce McNally. She was a 1959 Graduate of Paducah Tilghman High School. Married to her husband, William, for 57 years, her family was her greatest joy—and the feeling was mutual. Cindy was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend who brought warmth, wit, and a sweet touch of sass to every room she entered.
Even in her final year at Lake Way in Benton, Cindy’s spunky spirit shone through. Whether she was playfully keeping folks in line, winning big at bingo, or charming the staff with a “hey, good lookin’,” she made her mark in every hallway. The family is deeply grateful to the incredible caregivers at Lake Way for the love and compassion they showed Cindy throughout her time there.
She spent her career in banking and her heart at the beach, always in search of her favorite seashells. A lifelong Kentucky Wildcats superfan—affectionately known as the “Crazy UK Lady”—Cindy never missed watching a game. She kept a detailed roster by her side and proudly played the UK fight song after every big play.
In honor of Cindy’s fun-loving spirit, we invite guests to dress casually for her service and wear UK blue or Wildcats gear to celebrate the team she cheered for so passionately.
She is survived by her husband, William Roberts of Benton; her daughter, Mary Nell Roberts (Olivia Barker) of Nashville, Tennessee; her three sons, William Carl “Bill” Presson (Terri) of Pelham, Alabama, Michael Alan “Pogo” Presson (Leslie) of Fairhope, Alabama, and Corey Lee Roberts (Andrea) of Henderson, Kentucky; two sisters, Carol Jean Fuller (Ken) of Cookeville, Tennessee, and Sue Nan Jones of Paducah, Kentucky; six grandchildren, Blake Presson, Caitlin King (Todd), Chase Presson (Britney), Allie Reynolds (Burke), Dalton Roberts, and Abbey Roberts; and seven great-grandchildren, Jackson Presson, Joshua Presson, Anna Ro Presson , Aiden Taylor King, Dorothy Burke Reynolds, Mary Taylor Reynolds, and Elizabeth Pearce Reynolds.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Cpt. Billie T. Presson, while he was serving in Vietnam; her parents, George Carl McAnally and Mary Elizabeth Counce McAnally.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to the Alzheimer’s Association Greater Kentucky & Southern Indiana Chapter, 6100 Dutchmans Lane, Suite 401, Louisville, KY 40205, or online at www.alz.org/kyin.
Visitation will be held from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM on Monday, July 28, 2025, at the Life Celebration Center of Filbeck-Cann, 1003 Poplar Street, Benton, KY.
Funeral services will be eld at 11:30AM on Monday, July 28, 2025, at the Life Celebration Center of Filbeck-Cann with Rev. Greg Waldrop and Chase Presson officiating. Burial will follow at Cole Cemetery.
To share a memory or leave a message for the family, please visit Cindy’s Tribute Wall at www.filbeckandcann.com.
