Heather Roberts Haines, 57, of the 1300 block of Sussex Place, died peacefully at her home surrounded by her loving family, on May 1, 2026. She was a native of Richmond, Virginia, and the daughter of the late Jane Spargo Roberts and Gilman P. Roberts, Jr. She spent her childhood in Richmond and Danville, Virginia, before moving to Norfolk in 1983, where she spent the rest of her life.
She lived a life dedicated to serving families with special needs in low-income communities. Upon receiving her graduate and master’s degrees in education from Old Dominion University, she worked as a special education teacher in Norfolk. She provided clothing, entertainment, education, nutrition, and emotional support to all her students. She often brought along her two sons, Robert T. Hoeft and John R. Hamilton III, leading by example to show the importance of providing love to all.
Heather loved the beaches of the Outer Banks, North Carolina, more than anywhere in the world. She could often be found enjoying a cold beverage and soaking up sun anywhere she went. Anyone who had the privilege to meet her understood how special she was. She had a way of making you feel like you were exactly where you needed to be. Her shouts of classic Southern rock, infectious smile, and enthusiasm for life will forever be felt in the souls of all whom she touched.
She will be remembered for her resilience, positivity, love, and welcoming presence. Heather was a devoted wife, mother, sister, aunt, and friend.
She is survived by her two sons, husband, Christopher E. Haines of Norfolk; brother, Gilman P. “Tre” Roberts, III and his wife, Tamara Roberts of Fincastle, Virginia; three nieces Halla, Alana, and Sophie; and one grandniece, Charlotte.
