Lucimarian T. Roberts

Lucimarian Tolliver Roberts was born February 5, 1924 in Akron, Ohio to the union of William and Sally Suddeth Tolliver. After suffering a stroke in July, her heavenly Father called her to be with Him on August 30, 2012. She passed away peacefully in her Pass Christian home. She is the widow of retired United States Air Force Colonel Lawrence E. Roberts and is survived by her sister, Depholia Sims Butler of Akron, Ohio, her son, Lawrence E. Roberts, II (Cynthia) of Houston, TX; her daughter Sally-Ann Roberts Nabonne (Ron) of New Orleans, her daughter, Dorothy Roberts McEwen, of Long Beach, MS; and daughter, Robin R. Roberts, of New York, NY. She is also survived by eight grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. She leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends she met throughout her life as a military wife and a community leader on the MS Gulf Coast. Mrs. Roberts graduated from Howard University in Washington, D. C. where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. She is a former social worker, college counselor and educator. Mrs. Roberts devoted much of adult life to community service through her work with The Sun Herald - Knight Foundation Advisory Board; Chairman of Mississippi Coast Coliseum Commission; Mississippi Power Company Board; Chairman of State Board of Education; consultant to Presbyterian Church USA; Committee for Self-Development of People; founding Director, Leadership Gulf Coast; former Secretary, Kids Voting USA Board; Boys and Girls Club Gulf Coast Advisory Board; Salvation Army Advisory Board; Presbyterian Church USA Investment and Loan Program Board; and Genesis Foundation of Mississippi Board. Lucimarian Roberts is a life member of the NAACP, National Council of Negro Women and Harrison County Federation of Democratic Women. She was a member and Elder at Old Town Presbyterian Church in Bay St. Louis, MS. Her numerous honors, awards and recognitions include: 2011 NAACP Medgar Evers Lifetime Achievement Award; 2011 Mississippi Medal of Service, presented by Honorable Governor Haley Barbour; 2010 Tocqueville Award Recipient, United Way of South Mississippi; 2009 House Concurrent Resolution No. 97, Mississippi Legislature; 2008 American Association of University Women Honoree; 2005 Mississippi Gulf Coast Community Junior College Community College 3E Award; 2001 Bess E. Norman Community Service Award; 2001 Woman of Distinction Award, Girl Scouts, Pine Burr Council; 1997 Pat Santucci Spirit of the Coast Award; 1995 Phil Hardin Foundation for Outstanding Leadership, Service and Education; 1993 Martin Luther King Dream Award; 1991 Laurel Wreath Award; and 1942 John S. Knight Scholarship Award, Akron Beacon Journal. She is the author of My Story, My Song: Mother-Daughter Reflections on Life and Faith which is an inspirational memoir of Mrs. Roberts, detailing pivotal moments in her life and revealing how faith in God has provided her with strength and hope to face the challenges of life. Reflections from her daughter, Robin on her mother’s life and faith cap off each chapter. The family thanks the rehabilitation staff, the nurses and aides at Memorial Hospital at Gulfport and Biloxi Regional Hospital, the caregivers with Home Instead and Odyssey Hospice, members of the Keesler Soul Service, members of Old Town Presbyterian Church and the many friends who prayed, visited and sent well-wishes to the family. Visitation will be held 5pm to 7pm on Tuesday, September 4 at Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home 1726 15th St. Gulfport, MS. A private service and burial at the Biloxi National Cemetery will be held on Wednesday, September 5. Mrs. Roberts will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband, Lawrence E. Roberts. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers contributions made to the Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Lawrence & Lucimarian Roberts Scholarship Fund, 11975 Seaway Road Suite B150, Gulfport, MS 39503 and/or Each One Save One, 1636 Toledano St. Suite 309, New Orleans, LA 70115. Visitation is Tuesday, September 4, 2012, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, in Gulfport. Funeral services and interment will be privat View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com.