Author Biography
Roberta Magill is the poster woman for the old saying It's never too late. Born in Portsmouth, Ohio, her family moved to Chillicothe when she was young. Graduating from Chillicothe High in 1950 she married her high school sweetheart, the late Glenn Red Magill and shared 63 years of mostly wonderful memories. They had 4 children. At the age of 36 Roberta began college at Ohio University-Chillicothe and earned a BS in education. She began a 30 year career teaching remedial reading at Huntington rural school. She then commuted 50 miles to Columbus achieving her Master's degree in Reading education at Ohio State in 1975, the same year her daughter Vicki received her BS in education. Roberta became interested in tennis at the age of 45, winning 14 trophies. Years later she received a call from a friend in the local civic theatre saying they needed a short little old lady for their next play. Why not? She was only 81. She made her stage debut, loved every minute of it and she was hooked! Billy's Adventure is Roberta's first book and was written when she was getting her Master's degree at Ohio State. It is about a little boy who has a very vivid imagination. She has shared it often with her students and grandchildren, and discovered that children were very interactive with it. Professionals and friends encouraged her to get it published. She attended a book signing for Children's books illustrated by local artist Chuck Hurley held at the city park downtown. It was fate that the author Robin Petty, owner of the independent publisher, WoolysWagon ePublishing, took interest in her book. Roberta is involved in her community with the American Association of University Women, the League of Women Voters, and the Scioto Valley Chapter of The American Red Cross, where she has donated almost 21 gallons of blood. She also founded the Central and Southern Ohio Chapter of the Aplastic Anemia Foundation of America and served on the national board. She has composed songs which have been sung by her church choir (yep she sings) and has served on the board of trustees of the Scioto Society for 30 years, which produces the outdoor drama Tecumseh. Roberta adheres to her philosophy that you are only as old as you feel. Along with plans to spend time with family and volunteer, she might take up golf again, an interest she shared with her husband when they were younger. Seems she is the only one in the family that hasn't sunk a hole in one. Yet.
